The New City Catechism asks, “Who is God?” and then provides an answer based on the very first verse behind the leather cover of your Bible:
God is the Creator of everyone and everything.”
Whether you are personally in the business of creating by threading a needle or making music on a keyboard—or by stringing together sentences on another kind of keyboard, your urge and ability to create come from your Creator.
From the time when Adam took up residence in Eden with no instruction manual other than God’s permission to “master it,” humanity has been unwrapping God’s gifts and glorifying Him as co-creators, even if some fail, in this life, to acknowledge His role in it all.
This Sunday, let’s delight in God’s creation and in His gift of creativity.
A Question for YOU:
- Do you ever long for a different set of gifts and abilities, comparing yours to the people you’ve labeled “creative” or “talented”?
- How about, instead, thanking God for the unique constellation of gifts that comprise your own very special ability to glorify Him?
Holding You in the Light,
Whether you are personally in the business of creating by threading a needle or making music on a keyboard—or by stringing together sentences on another kind of keyboard, your urge and ability to create come from your Creator. #SundayScripture
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Living Our Days 
Exactly!
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It took me a long time to realize that “creative” didn’t always mean crafty/artsy. I was on a bulletin board committee with a lady who said, “I’m not creative, and I can’t come up with ideas. But I can cut things out and pin them up.” But when we went to pin them up and something wasn’t working right, she was a wiz at figuring out what to do, or suggesting a new addition or feature. She would have laughed if I called her creative–even though she was.
I also like the idea that, instead of envying each other’s gifts, we can appreciate them. None of us can do everything well, but we can learn from those who have gifts we don’t–or be relieved that other people can do what we can’t do.
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“Appreciate” is a good term for describing a right response to the gifting of others. And I have the same tendency to define creativity in terms of activities that require a trip to Hobby Lobby—which would certainly disqualify me!
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One more lure into the comparison trap and the joy it steals. Comparing our unique talents and gifting to others…and, seemingly, always coming up short!! Surely our Creator is so disappointed when we do so!!
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Michele, it’s tempting to want the giftings that other people have. But God gives us the gifts He knows we’ll use most effectively for His kingdom. And funny how it is that, when we’re practicing the brand of creativity God gave us (each individual), we can find such delight!
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YES, I think that’s one way we find our unique gifting! Isn’t it wonderful that God has wired us to serve him doing the things we love!
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“How about, instead, thanking God for the unique constellation of gifts that comprise your own very special ability to glorify Him?” I think it is often easier to recognize God’s gifting of others than ourselves. Where the body of Christ can come in encourage one another.
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That’s a great observation, Debbie! And it’s a gift we can give to each other!
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Michele: God gives us certain gifts to use to build His kingdom. We find out what they are as we mature in the faith. We each have certain gifts we can use for others. We should thank Him for what He has given us.
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Gratitude is a right response to God’s gifting in every single case. Such a great point.
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Michele: When we first come to Christ, we are all excited to do things that we see others doing. As we mature in the faith, we learn that there are certain things we are gifted by God and the Holy Spirit. We seem to excel in these areas. It might be a single area and then, later on, we find ourselves attracted to other outlets. We have to give thanks to God for what He gifts us to do.
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So wise. Yes, this has definitely been my story.
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Great post, Michele. I don’t necessarily envy people with other gifts or wish for different ones myself. I do, however, sometimes wonder why my “reach” is so small compared to others with similar giftings. That train of thought never leads to anything helpful, of course. I try to remember that God gave me the gifts and simply asks for me to use them for His glory. “Put your offering on the altar” has been the message I’ve been getting loud and clear this year.
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You’re so right–nothing good ever comes from that kind of comparison. And I love that message: the offering goes on the altar and then it’s His to do with whatever he decides.
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