God's Creativity

God’s Creativity

He is the God of all creativity! Praise Him! One step at a time!

Have you heard about the Parable of the Mule?

It is a picture of creativity in the midst of adverse circumstances:

An old mule fell into a well. The farmer found it but thought neither the well nor the mule were worth saving so he called friends to help him shovel dirt into the well to bury the mule and put it out of its misery. At first the mule was hysterical as the first shovel of dirt hit his back. As this continued, it occurred to the mule to shake it off and step up. This he did blow after blow. Shake it off and step up. No matter how painful the blows or distressing the situation seemed, the mule fought panic and just kept right on “shaking it off and stepping up”. You guessed it! It wasn’t long until the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of the well! What seemed like it would bury him alive,  actually blessed him…all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.  (author unknown)

The moral? If we respond to our problems with positive actions, refusing to panic, become bitter or wallow in self-pity; then God will use those adversities to our benefit and bless us!

But how do we do that when the trial is painful, overwhelming, consuming?  

Learn from the mule: Get active and do the right thing, one step at a time!

Philippians 4 are the “steps we can take”

Where to start:  

Verse 4 “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice” 

Facing a trial with THANKSGIVING, PRAISE and HOPE are excellent ways to “shake off the dirt of a trial”  Take the first step.

Take action and step up:

 Verse 6 “Be anxious for nothing , but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”   

As the trials of life pummel us, we have the option of being buried alive in our anxiety or to take “one step at a time”  by praising and praying.  Pouring out our requests before God……like David did, throughout the Psalms.  He was not shy to share his heartache, God was not shocked, and delivered  David from his sorrows.

Psalm 34:18–19“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all”

The result:  Verse 7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus”

God is triumphant when we experience His peace and step over the wall of our trial!

Shake off the dirt, step up and climb out of the ‘well’ in which we find ourselves…….ONE STEP AT A TIME. 

Be patient, the mule did not get out of the well with one step.  It was a process.  Sometimes a long and painful process……but because of the promises in God’s Word, He will help you:

 “He will deliver you out of them all”…..but you must take the first step,

“Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS, again I say rejoice” 

James 1:2 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds”

Our loving God “permits what He could prevent”.  He has prevented and protected us from so much; and we thank Him. However, there is something that takes more faith and a deeper trust—and that is to thank Him for what He has permitted. Rather than questioning, ‘How could a loving God allow this to happen?’ How could He allow our children to experience a failed marriage? What about children who are left behind when the parents are killed in a tragic accident? Can we thank Him and praise Him still? If we choose to see God in the midst of our circumstances, and remember His creativity in weaving trials, events and losses ---that He permitted--- to bring about our salvation; then we can fully trust God to bring about his purposes and plans through the things He allows to happen in our lives and in the lives of those we love. He is the God of wisdom and as we praise Him for what He, in His wisdom, has allowed; it becomes the first STEP toward acceptance. Peace will come to our hearts as we accept the fact that he has EVERYTHING under control! And His plan and purpose is well thought out by a very creative God who “works everything according to the purpose of His will.” (Eph. 1:11)

A quote I read some years ago says it best: “The pressure I feel…is but the squeeze of God’s hands on my life as He is shaping me.” (author unknown)

It is a reflection of Isaiah 64:8

 “You are our Father, we are the clay, and You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand.”

How secure I feel when my focus is on Him as my Potter and I am His clay! I know that He is fully trustworthy no matter what He permits or prevents in my life or the lives of my loved ones.

And when a trial comes……….TAKE THE FIRST STEP………..and rejoice in Him!

He is the God of all creativity! Praise Him! One step at a time!

I would love to hear from you!  Please send your comments or questions

dianne.doty@hotmail.com