Forget It God!  I Agree With You!

By John Clardy

Romans 9:20-21 GNB

20         But who are you, my friend, to talk back to God? A clay pot does not ask the man who made it, "Why did you make me like this?"

21         After all, the man who makes the pots has the right to use the clay as he wishes, and to make two pots from the same lump of clay, one for special occasions and the other for ordinary use.

In 1958, actor Charlton Heston teamed up with film director William Wyler to make the classic western, Big Country. During the course of filming one scene, Charlton Heston disagreed with how one part of the script was written.  Thinking he could help improve it, Heston decided to approach Wyler with what he thought would improve the dialogue in that scene.

During a break he approached Wyler and picked up Wyler's copy of the script to show him the part he wanted to change.  But a small gust of wind lifted the cover sheet of the script revealing to Heston the many cinematic credits Wyler had received for previous films.  Seeing that list, he was reminded of the ability and genius of this director whose judgment he was thinking he could improve.  When Wyler asked Heston if there was something he would like to discuss, Heston put the script down, and as he turned to walk away he said, "Forget it, I agree with you."

In Romans, Paul asks this very pertinent question, “Who do you think you are to talk back to God?  A clay pot has no right to demand an explanation as to why it is what it is!  It is solely up to the discretion of the potter to decide what kind of vessel he wants to create.”

But we don’t like that do we.  Instead, we begin arguing or looking for an alternative Will of God for our lives.  But here is the truth of the matter; you are wasting your time searching for the Will of God unless you are willing to stay on the Wheel of God.  You see, finding the will of God is not our responsibility.  Allowing ourselves to be shaped and changed into the will of God is our responsibility.

When Job was tempted to complain, God fired off a barrage of questions that Job couldn’t answer. He asked, “Where were you when I created the world?” “Did you measure it out and lay the foundation for it?  Did you set the boundaries of the sea?  Did you put the stars in their place?  Can you cause the morning to break or tell the night when it can come?  Do you have power over death? Can you make the rain to fall on the earth and cause the plants to spring up or direct the lightning where it can go?

Do you know what Job’s reply was when God got through questioning him?

Job 40:1-5 CEV

(1)  I am the LORD All-Powerful,

(2)  But you have argued that I am wrong. Now you must answer me.

(3)  Job said to the LORD:

(4)  Who am I to answer you?

(5)  I did speak once or twice, but never again.

Job repented and said I will never argue with you again Lord.  Forget it, I agree with You!

Ask yourself this question, “Am I arguing with God instead of agreeing with God when it comes to His will for my life? Am I talking back to God!  Do I feel I have a right to propose improvements in the script that God has laid out for me? 

Perhaps when we look at the credits that God already has in His creation of the universe and all of its wonders, we should also say, “Forget it God.  I agree with You!”