God the Creator<\/strong> by John Calvin<\/em> is a profound look at God\u2019s role in creating, sustaining, and redeeming his creation, including us.<\/p>\n \u201cYou turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him, who formed it, \u2018He did not make me\u2019? Can the pot say of the potter, \u201cHe knows nothing<\/strong><\/em>\u201d? Isaiah 29:16<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Recently an acquaintance expressed frustration with God. She felt he was allowing too many hardships in her life. While she did not say so, her words and attitude made me wonder if she blamed God for her misfortunes.<\/p>\n It\u2019s easy to hang our heartaches on God. Why is my life so hard? Why can\u2019t my life be happy like other people? When will you fix my world, God?<\/p>\n The apostle Paul reminds us of Isaiah\u2019s metaphor: \u201cShall what is formed say to him who formed it, \u2018Why did you make me like this<\/em>?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n I am convinced I can become bitter toward God if I believe two myths: 1)<\/strong> I deserve to be happy, and 2)<\/strong> God is in charge of making it so. In truth, God is more interested in us becoming like Jesus and living life abundantly, and if we\u2019re happy along the way that\u2019s bonus. He also asks us to obey his ways and by doing so we enjoy many blessings.<\/p>\n Do you find yourself whining at God?<\/strong> Do you give God credit as Creator and recognize us as created? What attitude should flow from understanding that God made us, that he doesn\u2019t \u2018owe\u2019 us, and that he has given us guidelines to enjoy a redeemed life?<\/p>\n God, forgive me for grumbling about my lot in life; humble me to accept who I am and this life of mine. Guide me in your ways that I may enjoy your life abundant. Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n Thought<\/strong>: Buy a small potted plant. Nurture it. Let it remind you that in the plainness of our lives and bodies we can still grow beauty.<\/p>\n By Dr. Bill Strom<\/a> \u2022 Each One is\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0Individual Miracle<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 by John Grant<\/p>\n \u2022 Fearfully and Wonderfully\u00a0Made<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\u2013<\/strong> by Carol Jantzen<\/p>\n \u2022 Wonderfully\u00a0Made<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 by John Grant<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE BY EMAIL:<\/strong> FOLLOW THIS LINK<\/a><\/p>\n Follow Us On:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0Twitter\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0\u2022\u00a0\u00a0Instagram\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0 <\/a>Pinterest<\/a><\/p>\n
used by permission<\/p>\n\nFurther Reading<\/h4>\n