Using our spiritual gifts or natural talents in adoration of God is the highest form of fulfillment we can know on this earth.” – Rick Joyner
God is the ultimate creator.
Have you ever really stopped to ponder what that actually means? Creator is defined as a person or being that brings something into existence. Synonyms include author, writer, deviser, maker, architect, mastermind, and prime mover. The opening statement of the Bible declares that God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis one and two go on to further detail the creative process that our creator God employed to bring forth Jesus, dry land, the sun, the moon, the stars, and every living thing.
God the architect set the earth on its footings (Ps. 104:5, Job 38:6). God the sculptor created man from dust and woman from a rib (Gen. 2:7, 22). God the designer clothes Himself in majesty (Ps 93:1). His creativity has many facets and His ability is limitless. After all, the Creator God created creativity.
In mankind creativity has just as many expressions. Creativity takes the form of singing, dancing, music, painting, writing, acting, and building just to name a few. In fact, the Bible is filled with people who were not simply creative, but anointed to use their creativity to bring God glory! That’s right, when we use our creativity, we bring glory to the God who gave us the gift. Here are just a few:
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Bezalel was filled with ”the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.” Bezalel and his assistant Oholiab played a major role in creating the Tabernacle that the Lord commanded Moses to build. You can read more about them and the skilled workers that God gave ability to here: Exodus 31:1-11.
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Miriam was one of the first recorded worship leaders. Before Bethel and before Hillsong there was Miriam the prophet, timbrel in hand, leading the women of Israel in dance and singing “sing to the Lord for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver He has hurled into the sea (Exodus 15:21).”
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King David wrote a considerable portion of the Book of Psalms. He is known as for being a mighty warrior and a man after God’s own heart. But, he was also an anointed musician. When the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, he was tormented. The playing of young David however, caused the tormenting spirit to leave Saul (1 Sam 16:23).
All these people had artistic and creative abilities inside of them. They could have kept them to themselves, but instead they used them to honor God and to benefit the community around them. Sure, we aren’t all King David, or anointed to build the Tabernacle, but God has freely given each of us unique, creative giftings and talents. What we do with them is up to us.
As Christians, the Bible teaches us to honor what we have by being good stewards. In a nutshell, this means not wasting what we have been given. Consider the Parable of the Talents. Although this parable talks about money, we can apply the principle to anything that has been given to us by the Lord, including actual talents. In this tale of stewardship, two men chose to invest and multiply the talent that they currently had while one man chose to hide his talent in the ground. The two who multiplied what they had been given were rewarded, while the man who hid his talent was frowned upon in the scripture. He was scolded for being wicked and lazy. There was an expectation that at the very least, what he had been given would be wisely invested. What are you doing with the talent and creativity that God has given you? Are you stewarding it to grow or are you hiding it in the ground? Are you investing it wisely into your community or the local church? Our creative giftings were meant to be invested in, multiplied, growing, and thriving. The act of being creative honors our Creator who gave us such gifts.
Honor God with your creative gifts, talents, and abilities. He delights in us and He delights in your ability to create. Be creative and let your creativity thrive. If the very praises of His people are a pleasing fragrance to the Lord, then how much more is our creative gifts an aromatic wonderland to God?
Looking for an opportunity to use your gifts? Come out to the Sidewalk Open Mic on Saturday March 18th at 9:30pm! Click here for details.
Laura Yumang is part of the Young Adult Leadership Team at Christ Church, where she has been attending and serving for four years. She is on a journey to encounter the heart of the Father through various expressions which include singing, prayer and drawing. A graphic designer and illustrator by profession, Laura is an artist who cherishes her gift of creativity. She loves meeting new people, encouraging others around her, and desires to bring joy to everyone she meets.
