What on Earth Am I Here For? (5.1) HB/SE

Life is a Temporary Assignment

In our previous devotionals, we explored two biblical metaphors for life: life as a test and life as a trust. This weeks devotional introduces the third metaphor: life on earth is a temporary assignment.

Have you ever felt that lifes challenges seem endless? Whether its relational tensions, professional struggles, or personal obstacles, its easy to forget that these problems are temporary. Scripture teaches that life on earth is brief and passing. Recognizing this truth should radically reshape our values, redirecting our focus from the temporal to the eternal.

This weeks reading from What on Earth Am I Here For? will introduce biblical examples of faithful individuals who, despite facing hardships and limited worldly success, were honored by God. These heroes of faith lived with the understanding that this world was not their home, and they committed their lives to serving God wholeheartedly.

As you reflect on this metaphor, consider how it applies to your own journey and professional practice. What does it mean to approach life as a temporary assignment, and how can this perspective change your approach to relationships, work, and challenges?

POINT TO PONDER:

• This world is not my home.

Additional Scriptures:

• Show me, O LORD, my lifes end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. (New International Version, 1978/2011, Psalm 39:4)
• I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me. (New International Version, 1978/2011, Psalm 119:19)
• So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (New International Version, 1978/2011, 2 Corinthians 4:18)

Optional Resource: Listen to a message on this chapter

1. Read Day 6 of What on Earth Am I Here For? by Rick Warren.
2. Write a personal journal reflection (300-400 words) in response to the prompts below. You are invited to reflect deeply, honestly, and respectfully.
3. In what ways do you see your lifeyour goals, habits, or daily decisionsbeing shaped more by the values of this world than by the values of God?
4. What is one insight or truth you encountered in this weeks reading that challenged or encouraged you? How could this insight help you love God and others more deeply?
5. If you were to truly embrace the reality that life on earth is a temporary assignment, how might that change how you view your relationships, work, or challenges today?
6. Your reflection should incorporate concepts and demonstrate your understanding of the resources required for the assignment (journals, videos, texts, etc.) and use conventions of academic writing, including essay-style paragraphs (topic sentence, supporting sentences and summary or final statement), proper grammar, correct use of spelling and punctuation and use of currently required APA writing standards including formatting using indented paragraphs, same font throughout, proper headings, references at the bottom as needed and APA style, including proper use of in-text citations, concise language, paraphrasing and active voice in first or third person. Feel free to include Scripture, course readings, or personal experiences in your response. You are not required to cite sources formally.