CHAPTER 33: THE BLESSING OF CREATIVITY
Somewhere around 1916, the Reverend Harry Bultema, a very controversial pastor, and the author of the book, Maranatha, a pre-millenium look at the Church of Christ said, and I quote, “It is foolish to oppose our Creator because since He made us, He can break us. If it is foolish to oppose our Creator because since He made us, He knows what is best for us. It is foolish to oppose our Creator because we owe the greatest obligation to Him.”
Isaiah 45: 9 “Woe to him who strives with his Maker!
What is the blessing of creativity? In two words. Projects completed. That would be enough! What else? I feel better, I have a sense of purpose. My heart is lighter because those awful thoughts of myself “not being relevant” are gone. I’ve achieved, the Lord and I have come up with an idea and I actually did it. The Blessing is looking at the idea finished and what it does to me to have accomplished such a task is wonderful. We could stop there, really, that says it.
Psalm 90:12
English Standard Version
So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom.
“Teach us to number our days,” you see when there are things to do — I know I can waste time doing thing I shouldn’t do. However, after I’ve completed something creative and new, I want to do more — I want to achieve and now I know I can…, I’ve seen it, made with my own hands out of the mind God has given me, a good thing, something I can use. God blesses all of us, I do mean all of us including non-believers.
His mercy is unparalleled as He waits for us to understand and discover our faith. In the book of Isaiah it is said that God used King Cyrus to liberate the jews from Babylon around 500 BC. God predicted He would do that 200 years before Cyrus was born. Can you imagine, Cyrus read the scripture about himself! He knew his destiny! When I read that, how could ask what God can do for me? Well, we all can still ask — however be careful about suggesting why or how God made you, or even what for. In Isaiah the question is however, just that.
Isaiah 45:10
“What are you begetting”?
By the way begetting means be born. The begotten, or the newly born has no say in his coming to be. It is simply foolish and counter-productive for us to question and accuse God over how or why He made us. Each of us has our strengths and weaknesses, and we each have our triumphs and challenges. We simply need to accept what we are before God and look for His redeeming, transforming power to conform us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29), the original blueprint of you is what you want, what He wants. What’s the difference between the blessing of creativity and the lesson on creativity? “The actual doing of it, completely.” You are a human being, created in the likeness of God, it’s important to remind me of that. You see no other living being on earth can do the things you can do. If you put your mind to it, what could you master or make? Many have done amazing things. Man has created a rocket ship, a coffee pot, a furniture set, a tractor, writings on paper, language skills, gifts, crayons. Man, is amazing. What man does with it, is also a risk. In my case I had many creative ideas — none of them worked very well, until I added God to the process. Why? I’ll explain, because I know why, for me…
Genesis 1:27
New International Version
So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
You see, I came to understand that the creativity in and of itself is an actual gift from God. God is a divine being, so the gift is a divine gift. I am not a divine being, so if I am not a divine being, how do I use a divine gift given to me by God. When I figured it out it was like a giant “aha!” moment in my life. I ask Him what He wants me to do with it —- and then I ask Him to show me how to use the gift. Guess what? He did and He will. And when I give Him the glory and honor for what He has done in me, things get real —- super fast. Ideas happen, new ideas come, I achieve in His mercy and grace. If that’s not enough of a blessing, guess what — in addition to God’s grace and the idea actually happening, your piers and your kids see you do it.
2 Corinthians 8:11
American Standard Version
11 But now complete the doing also; that as there was the readiness
to will, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.
The blessing of creativity is completing a project and looking at what the Lord has done in me, for me and with me. The opposite is not asking God. The idea sits on a shelf in your mind for years, never quite getting started or finished or realized. Your piers see that, too. Your kids watch you do nothing with your dreams. Fear, complacency, lack of inspiration, lack of God — in my case, I continued to try, I inspired myself with the hope of money, property and prestige — without God of course, for a long time. It was impossible. I just didn’t understand, there was no one there to tell me, or if they did, to help me understand.
And by the way, trying is not failing, failing is not losing, learning is
living and living is loving and loving is God is
knowledge/wisdom/mercy…, ah and strength to do what needs to be done.
(A quote by the Holy Spirit dancing in my head.)
If someone can prove me wrong and show me my mistake in any thought or action, I shall gladly change. I seek the truth, which never harmed anyone: the harm is to persist in one’s own self-deception and ignorance.
A quote by MARCUS AURELIUS
Roman emperor from 161 to 180 AD and a Stoic philosopher.
He was the last of the rulers known as the Five Good Emperors
I want to see what God has in that little box He gave me called “my destiny.” Make a decision, which side of the fence? Am I a Man using my mind for God’s work or stupid? Should I invent interesting ways to teach my children God’s word, or come up with a new way to lie on my taxes and steal from people?
Leo Buscaglia, a great American author born in the 20’s said this:
“Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.”
Ephesians 2:10 New International Version (NIV)
10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
What is a good idea? What is a bad idea? I don’t know, only you know. Sin or blessing, what is your heart? I can tell you this, the gospel says big or small, responsibility is key.
Luke 16:10
New Living Translation
10 “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.
So am I to say that the blessing of creativity is finishing an idea? Yes, that is a blessing. Am I to say that the blessing of creativity is actively pursuing God’s angle on the idea? Yes, that is a blessing. Am I saying it is a blessing to receive a divine gift? Yes, that is a blessing. Am I saying more? Yes, so much more. How many gifts are there? Many is the answer. Which ones are yours? Be obedient, and happy for what you have, not jealous of what others have. Do what He has for you, He knows what’s best always and your ideas will be amazing in His will be done.
1 Corinthians 12:1-11 New King James Version (NKJV)
Spiritual Gifts: Unity in Diversity
4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
By the way, “God is directing me to do this,” is generally connected to stupid. Even more stupid is “God told me to do this.” My question is “how long have you had these voices in your head and what else did they tell you to do?” Hey, that’s just me, and my observations. In hindsight, for myself, I can see that God put me into motion on good things. Generally, while in motion I don’t need an excuse to do God’s will, He has already put the world in order around me “for just such a time as this,” as I quote the book of Esther. Things make sense with God, even on the days I need to take a critical leap of Faith, with a capital F. I want creativity from the breath of God. I want to solve challenges with His direction, especially when I really want to do something right!
James 1:16-18 New King James Version (NKJV)
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures.
I’ve found two sides of a good idea — creativity and application.
My non-linear mind has no boundaries of time or space and it is there that in any millisecond an idea could be born. That’s super cool. Second is application, application is linear — how to get that idea done and implement this new thing into life based on 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. When you wake up with an idea, write it down, it may be the one that changes your life, irrevocably for the better, forever. I have had many of those. God, the amazing Holy Spirit, guiding and directing behind the scenes of my mind. Thank you, Jesus.
Galatians 1:11-24 New International Version
11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
I always say that blessings are the instructions for a Miracle. The Miracle is a perfect gift God has given to you, “your mind.” The blessing is asking Him how to use it. When He does this, you get to meet you. Exciting moment, every time it happens.
Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
With God as my boss of creativity, how, could I possibly have anything less than an awesome life. Chapter 33, The Blessing of Creativity, God still holds the title on the Ideas, but I get to drive them and so do you. Give Him the credit, honor Him and obey.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
English Standard Version
13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his
commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
ISAIAH 47:9
For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me.
Things created by me are not meant to be a distraction from God,
— rather a reminder of Him…
Amen, hallelujah, glory be.
Chapter 33 The Blessing of Creativity 2023.
Let’s make a day of it, John.
