“When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into? In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction.” (Romans 9:21-22 NLT)
Pinterest projects and recipes are usually photographed artistically under perfect conditions. There is often a big gap between reality and the idealized versions portrayed on this website. That is why I find ‘pinterest fails’--photos of projects that don’t end up as they were intended--so funny. For example, kid-friendly cupcakes and cookies that are supposed to look like adorable animals--often end up looking like sinister, amorphous creatures.
Some Christians believe that God has predetermined everything, including if one is chosen to spend eternity in heaven or hell, before they are even born. They point to Romans 9:21-22, where the Apostle Paul compares God to a potter who decides what each of His creations will end up being. The theology of predestination is a misinterpretation of these verses.
When we look at Scripture as a whole, we can see that we have a God who loves us sacrificially, shapes us patiently, and leads us gently. He lets us choose whether to follow Him. He is a potter who has perfect intentions for His creations; however, He is also responsive. Those who are pliable and yielding are molded according to God’s plans. Others who are stubborn and rebellious often end up misshapen--not because that was God’s intention all along, but because of their own poor choices. They are like Pinterest projects that look nothing like the original picture. God created human beings in His own image. We are meant to emulate Christ, to surrender to His plans, and to reflect His glory.
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