So Creative!

Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars of light! Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the Lord, for He commanded and they were created. -Psalm 148:1-5

Are you creative? Unless you write poetry, draw or paint pictures, or build or sculpt things from raw materials, you might think you’re supposed to answer no. But when we think about it, we know that artists and craftsmen are not the only creative folks. Inventors and engineers are very creative. Those who decorate, whether it be cake decorating, home interior design, or makeup, are called artists too, and for good reason. In business, education, and other fields, we talk about things like “creative problem solving” and even “creative play.”

The root word of “creative” is “create,” and I think most all of us have an instinct to create in some way or another. Once a year there’s a day folks can enter things into the local county fair, and you know on that day that place will be packed with people, their arms full of things they have created— food grown in their gardens, artful photographs, clothing and quilts stitched together with love, even lego creations by children!

And where does this creative instinct come from? From the Creator of course!

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

If you’ve ever wondered why you have such a drive to write or paint, or why you get such satisfaction from woodworking or gardening, or why you can’t shake that dream to start a business and bring that vision to life— it’s because you’re created in the image of God and that’s how He is. God is the ultimate creative personality!

God’s creativity is especially on display in places like zoos and forests- look at all the different animals! How creative! In grocery stores – look at all the different kinds of food! Such variety! In shopping malls- no, not so much in the designer clothes or the fancy pretzels, but in the people. My grandma used to go with us to the mall sometimes, and when she sat on a bench to rest and wait, she would people-watch. After a while she would marvel aloud at how God could make so many people, and not a one of them alike! (And I have identical twin daughters so don’t try to tell me He’s cheating sometimes! 😁 They’re still unique in many ways.)

If you’ve read all of this and you still want to say that you’re not creative, perhaps your natural creativity is being stifled. Being physically tired or stressed can certainly dampen creativity. Also, ironically, too much input can do the same. Scrolling through some clever tik-toks might stimulate your creative process. But if you spend so much time scrolling that you barely have enough time left for eating, working, and sleeping, that’s sensory overload. Sometimes the best ideas come when you’re doing nothing in particular, when your mind has had time to decompress and then to assimilate previous input. So lay down that phone, take a walk, find some quiet, and allow your thoughts to unwind.

Everyone who is called by My name,
Whom I have created for My glory;
I have formed him, yes, I have made him. Isaiah 43:7

It’s great if we can use our creative outlets to serve God and others, creating gifts for others or designing art in praise to God, etc. But there’s no need to feel guilty if you’re just creating something because you want to, because you enjoy it. That’s why God created the world after all. Your effort is not a waste of time. It doesn’t have to be what the world would call “productive.” Nor does it have to be professional-level quality. Don’t we love it when our kids make something and are eager to show us? Surely the heavenly Father feels the same.

Are you creative? That county fair will be here before you know it. So give glory to God, thank Him for the blessing of creative endeavors, and knock yourself out!

“You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.” Revelation 4:11

Dear God, this world is an unending display of Your creativity! I thank You for placing in me a kernel of that creative impulse, and for the times I’m able to use it in Your service. Even though my creative endeavors could never match Yours, I thank you for the sheer joy of such pursuits. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

by Christie Cole Atkins

Readers: I would love to hear about your favorite outlets for creativity! Please share in the comments section.