Marcus Clarke Photography
"The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born."
Psalm 33:6
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. He set the sun ablaze in the sky, handcrafted each flower and creature, and blew breath into humanity's lungs. God created all the materials that man uses for final products, whether those products are used for good or evil. God is the CREATOR.
If God is the CREATOR, and we are made in His likeness, shouldn't we be able to create too? If God was able to create masterpieces of cosmic proportions, then shouldn't we be able to create masterpieces of earthly proportions? Imagine the Northern Lights, Niagara Falls, a mountaintop sunrise. Those views are so exquisitely magnificent, so fully creative, one can't help but think of God's omniscience upon first view.
Sunrises are my favorite component of Creation. I try to recreate them with oil crayons, camera, and colored pencil, but I cannot. However, I can recreate the sunrise with words.
The world was pitch black with only silhouettes and shadows slightly visible. Dawn's golden fingers stretched themselves over the canvas and threw a spray of watercolors over the horizon- cotton candy pink, periwinkle, and lavender hues filled the once dark canvas of sky. As dawn stretched herself further across the canvas, a muted glow became brighter and brighter, until it's vivacity pierced my eyes. The sunrise had arrived.
My only tool for recreating Creation is through words. I cannot draw to save my life, I always lose Pictionary, and I will never understand how to create shadows and liveliness on a two-dimension surface. But I can describe a painting to you in prose, verse, whatever you prefer. My version of God's breathe-life creativity is words. You have a version of that breathe-life creativity too. In fact, we are all given spiritual gifts to reflect God's magnificence and artistry.
"God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another."
1 Peter 4:10
Perhaps you're an engineer, in which case you are the literal representation of breathe-life creativity. You think of an invention, and somehow know every component of its being. I applaud you and am dazzled by your ingenuity. Perhaps you're an artist, one who captures the Creation before you. Kudos to you too. Perhaps you're a fitness coach of some form or fashion. You are creating muscle where there was none, you are creating poses and twists that seem impossible. Perhaps you're a stay-at-home mom. Your children are your creations, both physically and figuratively. Your role as creator is to mold an adorable, egotistical baby into a man or woman with strong morals and selfless tendencies. Perhaps you're in the business field. You are creating a product, advertisement, budget, or team where there once was none. You are filling a need in society.
"In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly."
Romans 12:6-8
Loving people well takes immense creativity. Immense thought and effort goes into answering the question, "how can I best love this broken person?" Forgiving people takes immense creativity. Sometimes, you have to think outside the box to see the miscommunication or potential outcome of a situation. Seeing the potential in people takes hindsight that can only come from God, the one who authored that person's story. We all have the ability to be creative, whether your personal spin on creativity fits into the fine arts category or not. Our creativity is meant to point people back to the Master Planner, Divine Guide, Ultimate Creator, and Author. Did you have an ingenious idea at work? Thank God for allowing you to push the limits of thought. Did you find the perfect sentence to describe a feeling or sensation? Thank the One who penned every word to your story. Did you hit a home run, nail a pirouette, or perfect your lay-up? Thank your Creator for giving you the ability to instill awe in spectators as He does. Creativity doesn't always end in a pretty picture. Creativity is finding a way to bring joy, awe, or wonder into a cynical and apathetic world. Whether your creative effort results in a delicious meal or a smile from a stranger, embrace your God-given talents and abilities. You don't have to be the best _______, you just have to give your best effort. Our purpose is to bring glory to God, and the best way to glorify Him is to reflect Him. How do you embrace your creativity? As a wonderfully creative teacher once told me, "do what makes your heart come alive."
"Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them."
Isaiah 43:7
