June 9 – Creative

Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.  1 Timothy 4:14 -16

Creativity is being resourceful and imaginative using the best of the goods and talents we have been given to serve the Lord. What a great virtue for which to strive. Jesus, as creator of this world, has got to be at the very height of creativity! There are so many intricate details in cells that we can’t even see…and the grandeur of the mountains and the massive display of stars in the night sky are totally awe inspiring. No one can out create Him! We can only hope that His creativity flows through us. I have experienced that creativity flow many times. One time in particular I was doing some watercolor postcards from scenes of our Easter drama. A talented engineer in our church had brilliantly created a dove that came down from the ceiling on a wire right to Jesus’ (an actor’s) hand. It was a very dramatic effect—awesome. As I was doing a watercolor depicting that flying bird, the paint just seemed to flow across the paper creating the white dove (blank paper) outlined by a variegated blue sky. Very striking. It inspired me to continue to create more watercolor postcards depicting various Easter themes or objects—crown of thorns, stone rolled away, and unopened jars of spices. 

Have you ever felt that imaginative creativity flow through you? Maybe it wasn’t a drawing or painting, but something that you wrote, a speech that you gave or prayer you prayed. When you are at peace with God, filled with the Holy Spirit…working together…as in 1 Corinthians 6:1… And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain…creative things will happen. Whenever possible live in peace, just as Paul wrote… Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11. May that peace bring you creativity.

Training Tip – Most kids love to be creative—how about yours? While the weather is nice take some time for some real fun messy creativity. Let your kids finger paint outside. Last summer I had a sort of Grandma’s Camp one day. One of our activities was finger…well, actually hand-painting. I put up rolls of paper on the fence and let the kiddos dip their fingers and then hands into paint and create their own masterpieces. It was fun. We also washed some towels and clothes in an old fashioned wash basin with a washboard.

It is good to read kids stories or create stories together and then let them illustrate those tales. Some kids will be more creative with the stories and others more creative with the illustrations. Either way it will create fun memories and build stronger relationships. And relationships are what life is all about.

Lord Jesus, You are an awesome creator and we humbly acknowledge that even our most glorious creations pale in comparison to Yours. Help us to continue to seek to be more creative and to be inspired by the beauty that You have so wonderfully made.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.