Albert Einstein once said, “Creativity is intelligence having fun”, but to be creative, I think it helps to have the mindset of not being afraid to fail. Fear often shuts creativity down, whereas giving ourselves permission to make mistakes and explore opens up a world of possibilities.
I believe creativity is God’s gift to us and that it's His way of renewing, restoring, and strengthening our lives. We are created in the image of God, and I believe that within each one of us rests creativity far more than we might imagine.
If we don’t engage with our creative spark, we can easily deny our identity. There will be a piece of us that’s missing and that others will never get to experience or benefit from.
Some would say the human spirit lives on creativity and dies in conformity and routine.
When we open ourselves to exploring our creativity, we open ourselves to God, for it contradicts our true nature when we don’t seek to be creative.
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them”. (Genesis 1:27)
Start Creating
A great way to unleash your creativity is to make a creativity date. Remember, creativity is coaxed, not forced, so it helps to give yourself permission to stop “working” and to take time to see what happens when you explore your creative side.
If you don’t know what you’re supposed to create, just try something! Pick up some paper and pencils and draw or paint. Sit down at a computer and write. Grab a camera and start shooting. Make a short film. Play an instrument, Bake, build or design something, or tinker away at a new project.
Part of being more creative is choosing to think outside the box and seeking to look at things differently, so whatever you are looking at ask God to help you be more creative in your approach.
Enjoy your surroundings, go outdoors, and focus on those things that will cause you to cease work, take a fresh look at the world and help stir up a desire to play and explore something.
Keep experimenting and looking at things in a different way; dream, invent and explore until you find something you enjoy,; something you love — and then keep doing it. It doesn’t have to be world-class or a work of genius. It doesn’t have to be “artistic” — because creativity is found anywhere and in all interests, careers and pursuits. It just has to matter to you.
Creative people don’t settle for seeing things for what they are, they choose to see things for what they can be, so I encourage you to give yourself space to breathe and grow.
I love this quote by Julie Cameron, “One only need observe the natural world to see that God revels in adventure: cliffs, jungles, waterfalls, deserts, mountains, seas. When we take time for discovery, we put ourselves in the presence of the Great Adventurer. As we are outward bound, we sense an inward grace.”
Have fun as you take time out to connect with your inner adventurer and creative self.
“And he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze” (Exodus 35:30)
“For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; (Psalm 139:13-16)
Prayer: Lord, would you please help me make time and space in myself to be creative in whatever form most suits who you’ve made me to be. Please help me to start where I am and to use what I have. In Jesus’ name Amen.
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