Life on Loan - Martin Wiles

But God said to him, “You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get it all?” Luke 12:20 NLT

A day’s plans can change in a moment.

Since we were a one-car family, my wife normally drove me to work. On one particular day, she let me drive. As I attempted to put the car in reverse, I heard a snap and then noticed the gear shift didn’t look quite right. It hung limply against the steering column. Within a couple of hours, a tow truck had taken it to the local Ford dealership, and I had called my mom to see if we could borrow her car.

I never questioned who owned the car I would temporarily drive. I didn’t treat it like mine because I knew I had to return it. I was more careful than usual with my driving and kept the inside and outside as clean as possible. Mom never said, “You can’t have this car,” but she didn’t have to. I knew it was on loan.

The rich fool forgot his life was on loan. He had a fertile farm that produced an abundant crop. He had money to build larger storage buildings to accommodate the overflow. He planned to sit back and enjoy life’s pleasures—until God interrupted his plans and reminded him his life wasn’t his own. 

While I don’t have the means to do anything I desire, adopting the same mindset as the rich fool comes easily. Life was about him and no one else. But life isn’t all about me. God loaned it to me. He created me in my mother’s womb and had a plan in place before my birth. One day, God will call for full repayment of the loan. I’ll stand before my Creator to give an account of how well I’ve cared for what He entrusted to me. Did I keep the inside and outside clean? Did I treat it selfishly or use it to do His work? Did I live like I thought I’d never have to return it to Him?

Our gifts, talents, and opportunities are not inherent or developed by chance. God has ingrained and loaned them.

Make sure you are using well what God has entrusted to you. One day, He’ll call for full repayment.

Father, may I always remember my life is on loan from You. 

If you enjoyed this devotion, please share it with your friends. 

 

I invite you to try my newest book, Surviving the Church: How to Emerge Alive and Well, in eBook or paperback. If you have been hurt by the church or are struggling with too much church, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy today. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Out of Control - Martin Wiles

One God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all. Ephesians 4:6 NLT

Normally, two hundred dollars would be difficult—but not impossible—for my wife and me to raise. But our financial situation had changed drastically.

Before, raising two hundred dollars would have meant cutting back on eating out and going to the movies. Now, there was nothing we could cut back on because we had already cut back on everything we could.

When my car broke down and the mechanic said it would cost two hundred dollars to fix, he might as well have said two million. Life seemed to spiral out of control, and we had no means to stop it. After paying the towing bill, we waited for him to give us the final cost. In the meantime, my wife sold everything she could on Facebook.

Saturday morning, the phone rang, and the mechanic’s name appeared. We awaited the bad news, wondering how we’d get the money. Not enough time had passed or enough sales been made.

The news wasn’t what we expected. The bill was only $176. We still didn’t have that much. Then he told us an anonymous person had paid $100 on the bill. Seventy-six dollars we could handle. Things weren’t out of control after all.

Paul makes a powerful statement that comforts and encourages: There is one God who is over all. My life, your life, and everyone’s life. No detail left unnoticed. Power unheard of and unmatched.

I like the word sovereign. A big theological term but one describing God perfectly. Paul doesn’t use it, but he defines it. Nothing escapes God’s notice because He brings about or allows all that happens in the world and in people’s lives. He is the ultimate authority.

Each day, I live under God’s protection. This doesn’t mean someone won’t harm me or that a disease won’t attack my body. But if either happens, it’s because God permitted it or caused it. He won’t bring anything that conflicts with His holy nature, but He often lets sin and its consequences run their course—for now.

Yet, God loves, and His love prompts Him to care for the details of our lives and to act in our best interest. He promises to supply what we need to exist and to accomplish His purpose for our lives.

When things appear out of control, look to the One who controls everything.

Tweetable: What do you do when things appear out of control? 

Prayer: Father, we claim the promise of Your love and of Your control over our lives.

Looking for a wide selection of genres in inspirational books at discount prices? Click here to see selections.

Thanks to all our faithful followers who are "sharing" our posts--please keep it up! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Help us spread God's encouragement through his love lines.