“So God created mankind in His own image,
in the image of God He created them;
male and female He created them.
Genesis 1:27
This week I’ve been sewing for a friend and contemplating how good it is to just make time to create. Recently, another friend and I went to a painting class and although I don’t think I have talent, I’m discovering I enjoy it and maybe there is a bit of talent there. But what I do know is that it is good for my mind, my heart, my emotions, and I’m sure my health to make time to create. We were created in God’s image and interesting to note, the very first scripture in the Bible is “In the beginning, God created…” Genesis 1:1.
As children we spent much of our time creating and learning and then as we get older, we start cutting that time out of our busy schedules. The fact is that children need time that is dedicated to creating and learning skills. In fact, I would say it is crucial for their development. Areas like imagination, self-discovery and expression, and problem-solving skills are vital to each human and instilled in the earliest of years in each of us. There is no doubt in my mind that every human being has a well of creativity within them. I believe God placed that in each of us. I also believe that as we grow and discover different skills and talents as we create, that there is such a satisfaction to us as humans because it is who we are created to be. Creativity, in whatever form, brings a deep level of satisfaction and accomplishment. I think of God after He created, He would sit back and say ‘it is good!’. That’s the experience I have when I accomplish a skill or create something with my own hands, and this is good for our soul!
I recently read an article about creativity in which they spoke of what they referred to as a ‘flow’. They described the ‘flow’ as a state that we get in when we are absorbed in something as we create. Reflecting on my recent painting class with my girlfriend, I understood that term ‘flow’. For three hours I was completely in the painting process and lost all sense of time. Just yesterday, as I sat at my computer working on creating our new website, my husband came in to remind me that I needed to get up and stretch, for I had sat there for a few hours, as well. I was in the ‘flow’ of creativity and learning curve for sure! If you research this, you will find out that what happens in these moments is it reduces stress and anxiety and literally slows your heart rate. I also read that creativity makes you smarter as you must use both sides of your brain and that the repetitive actions like knitting, writing, painting actually activate this ‘flow’ and when you have a finished product it literally floods our brains with dopamine, that chemical in our brain that helps us feel happy. Makes me think of God reflecting on His creation and declaring “it is good!”.
“Creativity is intelligence having fun.”
Albert Einstein
If we all think about it, we have certain talents and abilities. It is true some of us seem more gifted in the area of creativity, but I believe we all have a creative side to us that needs to be nurtured. Since Creation, we can see man’s efforts at creating and building. I love to see ruins in Europe and explore some of what man has created so long ago in the way of architecture. The Pyramids in Egypt, the many Acropolis ruins across Greece, the Temple Mount in Jerusalem or great Amphitheaters I have stood at in places like Caesarea, Ephesus, or Bulgaria and have been filled with wonder at how in the world did they move such big stones or create such amazing pillars? But God has put within man the drive to create and the ability to problem solve within that creativity. It’s a part of God’s beautiful nature and so He placed that same nature within us because I believe it delights Him. We are certainly not like God and can create something out of nothing as He spoke into existence what was in His mind at Creation. But God has made us like Him and given us so many resources to be His creative children, made in His image.
As a young girl, I was way too studious to be bothered by ‘wasting my time and credits on art and craft classes’. As an adult, I regret that thinking. I am sure there were areas of me just waiting to be discovered if I had only invested in them a bit. But the truth is those areas are still there and it’s up to me to make time to explore all that God has created me to be! And so it is with you!
What I do know is I am happy when I’m making something with my hands, whether it be sewing for someone, crocheting, painting, baking, or learning something new! I am guilty, as most of us probably are, of not allowing this time to create until I have a project I must get done instead of deciding to just work on a project for no reason to bless someone I love or simply just to enjoy creating! We all know that sometimes when we are creating, it’s a learning curve to take on a new art or craft. But we also know that this is where growth happens within us. To create we need inspiration and sometimes that inspiration comes from someone else. Hence ,the reason for this Article 😊. To create takes discipline to learn the art of the craft. It requires within us sometimes to dig deep and purpose in our heart to learn it and not give up when we haven’t mastered it so easily. One of the areas I love most about learning a new art of craft is the fact that I need to seek the skill, teaching, wisdom and encouragement on the ‘how to’s’ from someone who has gone before me on this skill. My grandmother taught me to sew, I remember with fondness asking her to teach me the art of Tatting before she wasn’t able to anymore. I knew that if I was ever going to see someone create that beautiful lacework with their hands, it would be me asking her to show me. The skill seemed impossible to me (and I admit it still does) as I watched her fingers fly with her little red shuttle and just a heavy thread creating the most beautiful lace edges. I loved the fact that she was teaching me a skill that I pretty much had to learn from someone else — she was passing it on to me. The other thing I love about learning something new is that it forces me to start over sometimes and I have to push through my pride and frustration to come out on the other side with the task accomplished and all of this causes growth in me that I still need to nurture within myself even in my 70’s. None of us have ever quit growing as a human and searching out the creative side of us causes the growth to continue in fresh and exciting ways.
I married into a family filled with talent and creative skills! And I have been watching this same love for creating and art explode in my own children and grandchildren. It causes me to ponder how important this is for each of us. Last year, my beautiful sisters and I met for a sister’s weekend and we each brought a handmade gift for someone to be selected to receive. What fun it was for me to think about what I could make and to prepare something from my heart with my hands. As we opened our gifts, it was delightful to see the beauty of each gift thoughtfully crafted with love for an unknown recipient. In preparation for that weekend, I found myself trying to think of what I could create that would delight whoever received my gift, and I was reminded how happy it makes me to create something beautiful with my hands to bless someone else. I’m currently exploring new ideas for this year’s Sisters Week!
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
Maya Angelou
Creativity by it’s very nature needs to explore and grow. If I was always just sewing the same type of garments with the same type of fabric, pretty soon I wouldn’t be creating, I would be producing. If I made jewelry and never changed the elements I was using or the style I was making, I’m not creating anymore, I’m producing. Years ago I made pottery, the exciting thing about doing that was how creative I could be and each time on the wheel became a discovery for me. I was not producing the same pot or vase each time, I was naturally trying out my ideas as I changed the pressure of my hands or the size or shape of my pottery. When we really step into the ‘flow’ of our creativity we experience new things as we push ourselves to be curious about our craft and discover new techniques and ways to express our talents through that medium. If we want to expand and grow in that area of craft, then we need to seek out new ideas and ways to create using that art form. I believe God’s beautiful world has so much more out there for us than we will ever tap into. We just need to see it as important enough to allow time for the expression of our creativity to grow. We live in an amazing age where we can literally youtube anything! I recently signed up for a paint class online, and for the last three years I have been enrolled in a Writer’s Academy and am loving exploring this side of me. This is why I’m writing this devotion to you right now, because God has linked my passion to inspire and encourage women with the craft of writing. How exciting it is to keep growing as a person – it’s good for my heart and it’s good for yours. But we must make time for this. If all we do is sit and watch TV, scroll on our phones, read or the like, we are not allowing time to create. I recently heard a quote that hit me. “When I am consuming, I am not creating.” I must turn off the entertainment and make time for creativity and growth for God has designed me to need this in my life.
I think of Lydia in the bible who was a businesswoman dealing with trading and selling of purple fabric. I think of Noah who built the ark! Yes, God told Noah the specifications but he needed the skill. When recently touring the Ark Encounter in Kentucky, I was taken back by the skill that had to have gone into such a vessel to house so many animals for a year! His craft literally saved his family and the human race. I smile when I think of King David who was a musician whose music brought comfort to the spiritually oppressed King Saul and his poetry that still speaks to mankind’s hearts. I think there are so many ways to create that we can’t even count them all. Some that come to mind are all art forms (painting, sculpting, metal art, paper crafting), needlework (crochet, knitting, tatting, sewing, embroidery, felting), gardening, music (as many variations as there are instruments), poetry, writing of music, writing of books and scripts, dance (all variations), pottery, cooking, construction, the list goes on and on. I’m sure I didn’t mention some crafts some of you enjoy – there are just so many. The point is the talent and craft you enjoy is important to continue to explore in your life.
May I suggest a few scriptures on this thought:
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Psalm 104:24 How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
My friend, what gifts and talents in you might be lying dormant? Can I inspire you to make some time to seek them out and enjoy them.? It doesn’t take a lot of time, but it does take intentionality to do it. I can’t wait to hear from some of you what your talents are and what you love to create, for I’m sure it will be good!
Be Inspired and Shine His Love to Others