“A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others.” – Ayn Rand
When I look back on Christmas in my childhood, I remember the year I received my very favorite Christmas present ever. Under the tree was a flat wrapped box I discovered was full of 120crayons with a sharpener included. My eyes absorbed the rainbow of color that lay before me and my fingers itched to create something of beauty on paper.
I have always thrived on and reveled in creativity; it’s something I do well. For example, I enjoy and am proficient in photography, sewing, and writing. These activities energize me and because of this, I need to be careful how often I go to a craft or fabric store; I would spend my entire paycheck there..
Teaching middle school language arts also invigorates me because I can use my creativity when writing lesson plans. It is to my students’ advantage to have multiple, creative activities that instruct and strengthen their reading and writing skills. I remind them, on a practical level creativity is important.
Creativity gives the world extra colors,filling all of our senses. Our ears receive the music of supernatural inspiration when listening to Handel’s Messiah.Creativity is the foundation behind that refrigerator drawing a child makes for Mother’s Day, stowed away to be enjoyed for years to come. The taste and smell of marshmallows browned over a family campfire ignites imagination as you listen to another tall tale. Creativity is also the inspiration behind the lovely cable-knit sweater, fashioned with care so another can benefit from added warmth and beauty during the winter.
Not only does creativity fill the senses, it can give you an edge in whatever line of work you find yourself. There may be many people proficient at what you do but adding the creative touch can set you apart from the average person.
The nurse who plans special ways of showing he or she cares about the patients. The preacher who uses illustrations and relevancy to keep the congregation attentive. The business professional who finds creative ways to get and keep clients. All of these things and more can give you an edge over the competition. A logical question to ask next is, can we develop creativity or are you out of luck if you find little within?
Creativity, like imagination, is a skill that we can develop because we all have the seeds within us. Genesis 1:26tells us God made man in His image. The Hebrew word for image in this verse is,צלם (tselem) which means, a shadow or outline of the original. The implication is we have characteristics of God within us, including creativity.
Looking at what God created on each day in Genesis 1, I’m guessing He enjoyed making things with detail, passion, coloring, unique characteristics and many more. If we are created in His image, we have these abilities, though on a smaller scale within us. Just because the seeds of creativity are there, however, does not mean our creativity need not be developed and there are many ways to do this.
Those of us who are older can reflect on a childhood when we stayed outside in the summer from sunup to sundown. We used our imaginations, and could occupy ourselves with little external entertainment. Many of us also developed our creativity by saturating ourselves in books. Reading, especially pieces that are more than just entertaining,cultivates creativity. Once we have developed our creativity, we now need to nurture it.
The seeds of creativity are within us but in order for it to grow and thrive, we must nurture it. If you use no specific skill regularly, you lose proficiency in it. Fortunately, there are many ways you can nurture creativity. Visiting museums, going to concerts and exploring other cultures help fan the flame of creativity and keep it burning.
Taking part in activities that tap into the treasure creativity is, helping to nurture it as well. Joining a chorus enables you to advance your musical skills. Keeping a daily journal will strengthen the self-expression you have within you. Poring over recipes and the many uses of spices adds flavor to your culinary abilities. Creativity is a gift we inherited as ones created in God’s image.
The Bible has many examples of individuals and groups who tapped into this creative legacy. In the book of Exodus, God’s people prepare to build the Tabernacle; a holy place to worship.In chapter 35:35 we read, “He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers.” In the building of this most important structure, God’s people used their gifts of creativity.
Proverbs 22:29 informs us that the one who works hard at nurturing his/her skills will stand before kings. “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.”
Because God created us in He’s image, we reflect Him. When we use the characteristics we inherited, because we are a “shadow” of Him, it’s a way of expressing gratitude toward God. Creativity is a piece of God, therefore, it is a piece of us.
