Volume 65 December 2026-January 2026 : Mokanoki
What is life to you?
Author : Russ Molosiwa
In this issue, I would like us to examine the subject of life metaphor. If you meet someone and they ask you: what is the meaning of life to you? What would you say? “Look at me! The way I`m dressed and make your own conclusion”. Can your clothes truly describe who you are? Do we see things as they are? or we see them as we are?
The way you see your life shapes your life. How you define life determines your destiny. Your perspective will influence how you invest your time, spend your money, use your talents, and value your relationships. One of the best ways to understand other people is to ask them, ‘How do you see your life?” You will discover that there are as many different answers to that question as there are people.
I`ve spoken or asked so many people these questions. The answer I get my friend! are as many as the people I ask. I have been told “life is a circus, a minefield, a roller coaster, a puzzle, a symphony, a journey, and a dance. People have said, “Life is a carousel: Sometimes you`re up, sometimes you`re down, and sometimes you just go round and round” or “life is a ten-speed bicycle with gears we never use” or “life is a game of cards: You have to play the hand you are dealt.” If I asked how you picture life, what image would come to your mind?
Life metaphor I want us to look at today it`s the view of life that you hold, consciously or unconsciously, in your mind. It`s your description of how life works and what you expect from it. People often express their life metaphors through clothes, jewelry, cars, hairstyles, and bumper stickers. We know how “Mapantsula” dress. We know the hairstyle of Marasata.
Your unspoken life metaphor influences your life more than you realise. It determines your expectations, your values, your relationships, your goals, and your priorities. For instance, if you think life is a party, your primary value in life will be having fun. If you see life as a race, you will value speed and will probably be in a hurry much of the time.
If you view life as a marathon, you will value endurance. If you see life as a battle or a game, winning will be very important to you. What is your view of life? You may be basing your life on a faulty life metaphor. To fulfill the purposes God made you for, you will have to challenge conventional wisdom and replace it with the biblical metaphors of life.
The Bible says, “Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
The Bible offers three metaphors that teach us God`s view of life: Life is a test, life is a trust, and life is a temporary assignment. These ideas are the foundation of purpose-driven living. We will look at the first one in the next issue. Let me give you a homework: Go and research about this metaphor. Ends