An essential part of creativity is not being afraid to fail, but tapping into something that helps us to breathe with a different type of happiness as we release and share what is within us.
Any form of creativity is God’s gift to us and I’ve discovered it’s often His way of renewing, restoring and strengthening our lives. Because we are created in the image of God I believe that within each one of us rests creativity far more than we imagine. 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. When we don’t seek to be creative it is counter to our true nature.
“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)
In a world filled with stereotypes, we often find ourselves labeling people. “Sporty,” “intellectual,” “academic,” and “artistic,”, etc. It’s as if people are capable of only being one thing, yet we are multi dimensional creatures, and far more capable than we imagine, with gifts and talents we often haven’t even discovered yet.
Not all of us are going to be published authors, artists, inventors or entrepreneurs earning millions. Not all of us will go down in history for what we create. But is that the only reason we do something. Is that the only reason we create?
Look at any of the great creative minds throughout history. Most did not seek to create to impress others, it was simply an extension of who they were.
When we think about being creative its helpful to remember that: We don’t create for others. We don’t create to impress or be the best. We create, because we can.
What if you don’t know what your gift is — what you’re supposed to create? The answer is simple: Just try something!
A great way to unleash our creativity is to make a creativity date. A time set apart to explore and play. Creativity is coaxed not forced from within us, and we need to give ourselves permission to stop “working” and to take an adventure.
Pick up some paper and a pencil and draw. Sit down at a computer and write. Grab a camera and start shooting. Make a short film. Tinker away at something. Think outside the box and seek to look at things differently. Build something. All you have to do to get started is engage with your creative self. Go and enjoy your surroundings, the outdoors. Anything that will cause you to cease work, unleash joy, take a fresh look at the world and desire to simply play at something.
I encourage you today to not get too comfortable in the space you are in. Creative people don’t settle for seeing things for what they are, they choose to see things for what they can be.
We so need to give ourselves space to breathe, flourish and grow. 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 even have to be “artistic” — because creativity can be found anywhere. It just has to matter to you.
We suffer as individuals and as a society when we don’t honour creativity within ourselves. If we don’t engage with our creative spark, we’ll deny a part of who we are. There will be a piece of us that’s missing, and that others will never get to experience or benefit from.
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.”
Be blessed as you take some time out this week 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 to make time and space in myself to be creative in whatever form that 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.