Creative? Not Me!

What do you think of when you hear the word, “creative?” I tend to think of artists and musicians and people who think outside of the box and big dreams and interior design and teachers and homeschool moms and pinterest!

All of the things that I am not.

A few years ago, if someone would have asked me if I was a creative person, I would have given an emphatic, “No!” Sure, I would have fleeting moments of creativity, where I would create some fun craft to do with the kids or I would rearrange our house or have a fun idea that actually worked, but those fleeting moments were just that, moments. It was not in my normal workings to be creative. 

But then I started writing and something began to unleash within my soul. 

I noticed the unleashing, because when I wrote, I felt different. I couldn’t name the feeling, I just knew it was there.

Author and podcaster, Maile Silva said in a recent interview, “Creativity is the thing that makes you come alive.” This definition was like a light bulb went off for me. That was the feeling!  My whole life I had wanted and was striving to be “creative,” but in the form that did not fit me. I had the fixed idea that only artists, musicians and the like were the ones who were creative, and since I was not those, I, therefore, was not creative. 

Although I had never really thought about writing as a form of art before, and as a way to be creative, writing is in fact a way that I release creative energy and is a means of expressing my inner creator. 

When I write, and even more specifically, when I speak to a gathering of people about my Jesus, I feel alive.

Creative.

Would you say that you are creative? Or when you think of one who is creative, do you think of the artists and musicians, like I did?  Whether you think of yourself as creative or not, ask yourself, “What makes me come alive?” It is actually quite revealing as to how you answer that question. And side note, it’s a great conversation starter!

Whether you think of yourself as a creative person or not, you are, in fact, creative. Why? Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” We were created in the image of God, the creator of the universe. 

Creativity is in our DNA.

Maile also said, “we are working at a deficit if we don’t give space to be creative.” For me, I can tell a difference between the days that I write and the days that I do not write. I may only have time for a quick entry in my journal, but the act of writing, even if it is only chicken scratch, is enough to stir my mind to function at a higher level throughout the day. When I make the space to be creative through writing, I am able to think clearer, have a more focused mindset, answers seem to come easier and I am overall happier, because I have released my inner creator. Those feelings are at an even greater magnitude when I am able to teach and speak to women in my role at our local Bible Study Fellowship class. 

When we make space to release our inner creative, whatever form that takes for you, you are giving voice to the person that God created you to be. The reason I feel alive when I am speaking and writing is that I am using the gift that God has given me for his glory. 

Keep in mind that what makes you come alive does not have to be your job. You might have a job that allows you to release your inner creative, but you may not. And that is ok! What is important is being able to name what makes you come alive and making space to do that thing! 

What’s beautiful to think about also, is that just as your DNA is completely unique to you, your creativity is completely unique to you as well, given only to you by the one who created you. You may write similar messages as another, you may have similar painting styles as another, you may create music that sounds similar to another, you may have ideas that are similar to another, but they are not the same. You, as the creator, bring your own style, your own story, your own calling to the thing you are creating. 

And what is most important about being creative, is that you give glory to God while you are doing it.

What makes you come alive?

Be creative!

And he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship…. Exodus 35:31.

God, may we use our inner creative for your glory.

For your viewing pleasure, this is some amazing work done by my good friend, Spencer. You can follow him or look at more of his stunning creativity at Fine Art and Prints by Spencer Yancey on Facebook or visit his Etsy shop!