Have you ever wondered, “Why do some non-believers achieve great levels of success, while many faithful Christians barely survive?” The answer to this commonly pondered question is complex, but strongly embedded in how people respond to their problems.

Although religious tradition has taught many of us to “wait on God for everything,” the Bible reveals that we have creative control over our lives. In fact, Luke 16 states that we can learn a lot from observing the success of non-believers. Time and time again, they often out perform us because they are more creative — turning adversity into opportunity — not only surviving, but flourishing through the power of their resourcefulness.

The Message Bible puts forth:

"Now here's a surprise: The master praised the crooked manager! And why? Because he knew how to look after himself. Streetwise people are smarter in this regard than law-abiding citizens. They are on constant alert, looking for angles, surviving by their wits. I want you to be smart in the same way — but for what is right — using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival…so you'll live, really live, and not complacently just get by..."(Luke 16:7-9).

Have you overlooked your creative ability to transform adversity into opportunity?

Are you complacently “waiting on God,” when He is actually waiting on you to take control of your life?

Galatians 6:4 encourages, “Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life (MSG).” In essence, we must take control! Successful people recognize that problems will always emerge, but winners creatively solve them. As Theodore Rubin, a renowned American psychiatrist, once stated:

"The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem."

Remember: Faith will strengthen us, and prayer will uplift us — but creativity will propel us into the lives that we’ve been “waiting” for. Why should we barely survive when we can live, really live? So as Luke 16 encourages, let us use every adversity to stimulate our creativity. We can look for angles and flourish by our wits!

Our cry:
Lord, thank You for granting me creative control over my life. Help me stretch my imagination so that I can transform adversity into opportunity, look for angles, and flourish by my wits. As Galatians 6:4 encourages, I will take responsibility for doing the creative best I can with my life. I am ready to “live, really live, and not complacently just get by..."(Luke 16:7-9).

For I am Your handmaiden. I am Your servant.

Recommended reading:
Luke16:7-9 (Message Bible Translation)
Galatians 6:4 (Message Bible Translation


Marsha DuCille
Publisher/Editorial Director
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