Put a child in a room with the right materials and the instruction to “create” and she will do just that. From cardboard boxes, peanuts, and old socks, my children have created great ships, puppets, and castles.
The desire to create is not taught. The world and everything in it is the workmanship of the Creator. As created beings, we carry the image of God, not least of which is an innate urge called creativity.
Creativity is a spiritual discipline that followers of Jesus have often ignored. As far back as Genesis, God gave humanity an artistic assignment. He asked Adam to name the animals and thus invited him into the creative process with himself, the Creator.
Unfortunately, the beauty and order of creation were soon scarred; God, however, was not deterred.
The story of Jesus is the mark of the creative master at work. Only divinity could take something as offensive as the Cross and use it to restore beauty. He continues his redemptive plan by empowering us to join him in this creative work.
The season of Pentecost gives us perfect example of this. Jesus told his followers in John 16: 7, “It is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I go away, then I will send him to you.” And the Spirit came in power to an expectant group of Christ-followers (Acts 2), and the creative force embodied in one person, Jesus Christ, is now available to everyone.
Peter quoted the prophet Joel to describe what has happened:
“In the last days,” God says, “I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.” (Acts 2:17)
And with these words, God’s creative spark ignites the hearts of men and women in a whole new way.
God the creator now places his divine imprint on our spirits. Pentecost shatters the glass ceiling of possibility. The garden is now replaced with an upper room, and the new assignment goes beyond simply naming his creation to calling his creation into a a regenerative process, making old things new.
Wherever there is a divide, God’s creativity in us leads us to build a bridge.
Where there is doubt, God’s creativity in us stirs our imagination and produces faith.
Wherever there is despair, God’s creativity in us pictures and pursues hope.
Where there is injustice, God’s creativity in us finds a way to show his love.
___________
The Creative Presence of God
Creator God, your Spirit enables our own creative abilities as we allow Him to work through our words, our hands, and our imaginations.
We thank you for the beauty of created things, for pots and bowls moulded by the skillful manipulation of clay, for a portrait that captures the essence of a personality, for the written word which transports us to a faraway place, a poem that captures the raw emotion of a moment, a prayer that speaks to our heart and soul.
You are present wherever mankind opens its eyes to see, can be heard whenever mankind opens its ear to hear, can be felt as hands are outstretched in faith. -John Birch (Wales/Contemporary)
The desire to create is not taught. The world and everything in it is the workmanship of the Creator. As created beings, we carry the image of God, not least of which is an innate urge called creativity.
Creativity is a spiritual discipline that followers of Jesus have often ignored. As far back as Genesis, God gave humanity an artistic assignment. He asked Adam to name the animals and thus invited him into the creative process with himself, the Creator.
Unfortunately, the beauty and order of creation were soon scarred; God, however, was not deterred.
The story of Jesus is the mark of the creative master at work. Only divinity could take something as offensive as the Cross and use it to restore beauty. He continues his redemptive plan by empowering us to join him in this creative work.
The season of Pentecost gives us perfect example of this. Jesus told his followers in John 16: 7, “It is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I go away, then I will send him to you.” And the Spirit came in power to an expectant group of Christ-followers (Acts 2), and the creative force embodied in one person, Jesus Christ, is now available to everyone.
Peter quoted the prophet Joel to describe what has happened:
“In the last days,” God says, “I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.” (Acts 2:17)
And with these words, God’s creative spark ignites the hearts of men and women in a whole new way.
God the creator now places his divine imprint on our spirits. Pentecost shatters the glass ceiling of possibility. The garden is now replaced with an upper room, and the new assignment goes beyond simply naming his creation to calling his creation into a a regenerative process, making old things new.
Wherever there is a divide, God’s creativity in us leads us to build a bridge.
Where there is doubt, God’s creativity in us stirs our imagination and produces faith.
Wherever there is despair, God’s creativity in us pictures and pursues hope.
Where there is injustice, God’s creativity in us finds a way to show his love.
___________
The Creative Presence of God
Creator God, your Spirit enables our own creative abilities as we allow Him to work through our words, our hands, and our imaginations.
We thank you for the beauty of created things, for pots and bowls moulded by the skillful manipulation of clay, for a portrait that captures the essence of a personality, for the written word which transports us to a faraway place, a poem that captures the raw emotion of a moment, a prayer that speaks to our heart and soul.
You are present wherever mankind opens its eyes to see, can be heard whenever mankind opens its ear to hear, can be felt as hands are outstretched in faith. -John Birch (Wales/Contemporary)
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