In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Genesis 1:1-2
Creativity is a great word as it can be linked to both the creator and creation. It is the ability to make or otherwise bring into existence something new, whether a new solution to a problem, a new method or device, or a new artistic object or form. A good pass for this word is the great and powerful being from Genesis.
It was the year 4004 B.C. (as stated by James Ussher; author of The Annals of the World), before time and space existed. The earth was just a formless expanse, filled with emptiness and great darkness. Just then, with a magnificent burst of energy and power poised on this expanse, God spoke and by his words, creation began—time began and life emerged. All these He did orderly, from the light, day and night, to every sort of animal, Man and every creation.
The Lord God, as the ultimate creative, had fashioned the entire universe out of nothingness. His creativity breathed us into being and all of the world serves as its testament.
He created the entirety of heaven and its host, the earth and its fullness thereof, and of all creation, He created a ‘mini Him’—Man; made in His image and creative just like He is.
The Bible demonstrates to us that our creativity is a reflection of God as the ultimate creator. He equips and inspires us to live out of this image—to glimpse His Kingdom on this side of heaven. “For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
Here are some lessons gathered, to help creatives:
Know your identity.
The very first important thing to note as a creative is your identity. The value of identity is that, so often, with it comes purpose. You should understand that you are His spitting image, in His image and likeness were you created, and there is a purpose that comes with it—to look like him and act like him. If he created the universe out of nothing, it means you have the ability to make something out of nothing; that there’s a pool of possibilities as to whatever you put your mind to. Also, the quality of your thoughts determines the quality of your life.
Therefore, it is important to accept that we are supernatural beings, created to do even the things that seem difficult. Remember, as a man thinks in his heart, so is he!
Use your words.
Words are a powerful tool in creation. God created everything, and nothing was created except through His Word. This Word gave life to everything that was created. The words you speak to yourself, over your life, family, kids and situations are as important as what you do. They are powerful and very potent. The tongue has the power of life and death and those who love it will eat its fruits. Use your words wisely!
Make achievable goals.
We see how God completed creation in seven days with specific creations per day. The scriptures never recorded Him being overwhelmed by creation and it is wise to learn from His spread of creation across days and not try to make it all happen at once. A good way to do this is by writing out the vision and spreading it out in achievable and realistic goals. Write the vision, and make it plain on tablets, so that it can be easily achieved.
Examine and applaud yourself.
More often than not, a good way to be a great creative is by learning to acknowledge your progress.
It is good to give yourself some credit—a pat on the back or better. The scriptures mention severally that God saw that His creation was good. He wasn’t in doubt nor in limbo of his work, rather He saw the goodness of it all. If God, in whose image and likeness we were created, had no doubt about His abilities, why then should you?
You also have the ability to see His goodness in all and not just some, for every good gift and every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Rest.
Since the fall of man, there’s been a proclivity in man to want to work hard, always operating as a cogwheel in a machine, running about completing projects, while missing the beautiful completeness of what has been done.
After a long week of creation, the All-Powerful God rested on the seventh day. We, who are created in His likeness, should plan to rest as planned. A wise man once said, “Take rest, for a field that has rested gives a beautiful crop.” Rest, for health, is wealth.
In conclusion, I believe God started creation through His Word (Christ Jesus) and created Man (Creatives) to continue the good work He started, so as to show forth His goodness. He wants you to shine His light in your sphere of influence and has enabled you with the wisdom needed and also a teacher of all things—the Holy Spirit. He doesn’t call anyone what He hasn’t made them, and He can always be trusted. I promise. The Dream you have in your heart is very valid and can become a reality—it matters and the world needs it.
Shine the light! You’re His spitting image.