I listened to a brilliant interview on SonsAndDaughtersTV where they interviewed Steffany Gretzinger and Jeremy Riddle on the statement: “I am creative.”
It was perfectly times listening because just the other day, I had been processing what it means to be creative in the Kingdom. I even recorded some thoughts because it was such a pin-pointed reflection in my mind.
I will share some of my own thoughts later, but first I want to share some things from the interview because the conversation was far too insightful not to!
Most of the things I’m including here aren’t quotes directly as I have added my own emphasis (and some Bible verses) for deeper understanding.
We cannot deny that we are all creative. Not because of what we can or cannot do ourselves, but because we are made in the image of God who was the ultimate creator. The only one who was not created is the source of all creation.
(Genesis 1vs1~2 AMP)
"In the beginning God (Elohim) created [by forming from nothing] the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void or a waste and emptiness, and darkness was upon the face of the deep [primeval ocean that covered the unformed earth]. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters"
We may not have found it yet... but when we do, the creativity inside of us is undeiably unique and fulfilling. It is the thing we participate in that brings a fire alive inside of us that we can’t discover any other way... and it's something only we can bring to the table.
There is something remarkable about creativing alongside others. Something in the creative process with those who know and support you. The right people can unlock something inside you that wouldn't have happened on our own... and this nurtures a humility in us. Jesus specifically commissioned a co-labouring in the Kingdom, there is something in this that leans into the divine nature of stewarding your relationship with Jesus and finding your truest self in Him. It is out of this intimate place that Kingdom creation comes out.
(1 Corinthians 3vs9 AMP)
"For we are God’s fellow workers [His servants working together]; you are God’s cultivated field [His garden, His vineyard], God’s building."
We can see a lot of creation nowadays that moves people. Whether film or music, art or dance... But it’s almost always out of sadness, out of heartbrokenness. And this can move you because it’s on a physically empathetic level. But when you tap into creating with God, it can only ever be out of the intense Joy because partnering with God brings higher things and if you look in the scriptures, when the angles are partnering in Heaven, it’s in praise and glorious worship - never sadness! You can create and move people without God, but you can never change anybody without God. (2 Corinthians 5vs17 AMP)
"Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]."
When we get stuck, get a block or feel our creative edge reaches it's limit... it’s not because we’ve run out of things or we are not good enough… it’s only ever because we’ve stopped looking at the one who is the most inspiring. Even in difficult times, leaning closer to Him will always bring a newness - because He always renews! We are also not machines! We can't run on our own - we need to be plugged into God.
(Romans 11vs35 NIV)
"For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen."
Not living in your true creativity will dull you on the inside. Steffany used a brilliant metaphor here of getting ‘grumpy and frumpy” when you’re not creating. It works both ways. Not doing creating brings lifelessness, but creating without God is also lifeless!
What amazing things to think of!
As a creative person, I have no challenge believing all this for myself, but I can understand why someone who doesn't perceive what they 'do' on the daily to be creative.....
But the beautiful thing is that every aspect of life - every milestone - every age - has the potential to bring creation. it doesn't have to be artsy and edgy... it just has to be unique, real and partnering with the Spirit.
Here are a couple things that I had already been thinking of before listening to the interview...
One of the verses that have been with me in the whole journey of creating this blog is luke 6:45. And it’s all about the overflow of the heart.
This ties into creativity in the sense that out of the overspill of harmony in our relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit…. In that trueness of love, there is never ending creation because breath is a newness
Out of the overspill of the harmony of love with the father, son and spirit…. There is creation. (Luke 6vs45 CSB)
"A good person produces good out of the good stored up in his heart. An evil person produces evil out of the evil stored up in his heart, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart."
It reflects our heart when we create out of communion with God because we were made to shine our light and when we create, we fuel our unique light.
(Matthew 5vs14 NIV)
"“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden."
Partnering with God in creativity allows the Soirit to process in a way that we can’t process alone and this Spirit intervention releases tension and anxiety from our mind because we’re not focusing on what we see but what God says. When we create beautiful things despite difficult circumstances, the mystery purifies our souls and humbled our spirit-we learn to crave God more in those times.
(Galatians 5vs22~23 NLT)
"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!"
When we lay down our want for understanding, we experience His presence. When we surrender knowing, we experience intimacy.
And this sounds a lot like worship!! This letting go of me and diving closer to Him, letting go of what I want and taking hold of obeying His Word.... this is true Worship! (Romans 12vs1 AMP)
"Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship."
We don’t worship because of anything other than lifting Him higher, pressing into Him and leaving the earthly realm behind to take hold of the kingdom he meets us there and guides us to true expression of our hearts - our true creativity reflects living in who God made us to be.
Stay creative ~ Stay dreaming ~ Stay collaborating ~ Stay with God!
~ X ~
Comments