Creator God, so often we are stymied by our own doubts that we hinder Your gift of creativity in ourselves. And yet the ways of creativity are endless.
If there is anything I have learned about creating art, it is that there are literally millions of ways to do it. And that has really opened me up to trying to pursue it. It doesn’t have to be one certain way - it doesn’t all have to look like a photograph or real life. There is a beauty and fun and joy found in various expressions. You can use pencil or paint or chalk on the sidewalk.
Creativity can be found in all kinds of places. Think of all the genres of music and forms of dance. Arranging flowers in a garden or a vase. Writing a note - or a whole book. Even from the way you place food on a plate, or decorate a cake, all the needle arts, and sandcastles… vacation photo collage.
Why do you think God added creative juices to our souls? And don’t say you aren’t creative. Just look at the list above!
As we read in the first chapter of Genesis, God created and it was good. Over and over again… it was good. It felt good. Could it be that creating something is rewarded by a feeling of Joy and Satisfaction?
I know, I know… you’re going to tell me you have attempted creativity and it mostly comes out imperfect and not shareable. Believe me, I know. You have to desire and pursue that special joy that comes from going through the process of good, better, best. I can’t stop drawing because the first attempts look pre-schoolish. But in the tweaking I find, it does get better. And oh, you should see the smile on my face when it all comes together!
So I encourage you to get up and try. To open your eyes to things that call for creativity and imagination. Maybe, like my cookie pictured above, it will bring a smile and laughter in spite of its imperfection. God’s amazing grace! But maybe, just maybe, it will turn out to be a blessing and a joy after all.
God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. - Romans 12:6
The women skilled in sewing and spinning prepared blue, purple, and scarlet thread and cloth, and fine-twined linen, and brought them in. Some other women gladly used their special skill to spin the goats’ hair into cloth. The leaders brought onyx stones to be used for the ephod and the chestpiece; and spices, and oil—for the light, and for compounding the anointing oil and the sweet incense. So the people of Israel—every man and woman who wanted to assist in the work given to them by the Lord’s command to Moses—brought their freewill offerings to him. - Exodus 35:25-29 TLB
Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” - Luke 6:38
Looking for some joy and light in your life? God Himself and shown us and has paved the way…