Prerogatives of a Creator

But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? Romans 9:20 through Romans 9:22.

It seems to me that people today are more disinterested in God and in spiritual matters. As our lifespans have been growing longer, as we have enjoyed a relatively long period of stability and prosperity, at least in the United States. People are not as conscious of their need for a relationship with their Creator. That can change in an instant, as 9-11 should have taught us. But I think a big reason is that, from the "Baby Boom" generation on, we have been spoiled to think our own needs, wants, and desires, are the center of things. 

Consider this, though.  I am a songwriter. I take ideas I have and form a song. Later, I may put that in a more tangible form as a recording. I enjoy this process, though sometimes it is difficult; challenging my intellect, demanding full focus of my imagination, and sometimes taxing me emotionally as I try to give the song my best. As the creator of that song, I sometimes irritate my wife by trying to improve on the song long after she has learned the words. But, when all is said and done, it is my creation. I have the right to change it at any time. I can rearrange the order of things. I can change a word or a rhyme. I can strip verses out of it and add others. I can set it aside for years at a time and finish it as I am inspired to do so. If it pleases me, I can spend hours and hours creating a recorded arrangement, with each part being just what I want.  Or, I can decide I don't like it and stop working on it altogether. I can even toss it in the trash if the work I've done displeases me. For me, this creative process is my way of acting as one made in God's image. I am a creator; He is the Creator or all creators.

I would say the same is true for the guitar maker, the artist, or the cook in the kitchen. In any case, the creator will not be quick to abandon a work he or she has started.  After one has put the energy into creating something of value, it becomes important to finish it and enjoy the finished work.  Who, then, would deny the creator of a fine musical instrument, a song, or a decorated cake their right to have their creation turn out the way they want it?  But when it comes to God and His creation, we are all too quick to deny Him that good pleasure.  In fact, in our self-centered egocentric way, most of his creations will deny He is  the Creator and behave as if they came about from blind chance.

To my mind, people get off on all kinds of tangents trying to ignore this truth. If you are made by Someone, you are that Person's creation and your purpose in life should be to submit to your Creator, lest you be thrown away for not being what He wanted when He had the idea to put you together.  Should you not, rather, want to become what He has in mind so He will treasure you as the guitar maker treasures a fine instrument or a songwriter treasures the song?

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