Embracing Divine Creativity in Everyday Life

 

Summary

Creativity is a divine gift, a reflection of being made in the image of our Creator. We are called to bring creativity into our everyday lives, not just in grand gestures but in the small, seemingly mundane tasks that fill our days. This creativity is not limited to the arts but extends to how we live, interact, and express ourselves. God delights in our creativity, as it is a form of worship and a way to extend His kingdom on earth. The story of Bezalel in Exodus 35 illustrates this beautifully. God filled him with His Spirit, not to preach or prophesy, but to create art for the Tabernacle, showing that creativity is a spiritual act.

Creativity often emerges from adversity. The hip-hop movement, born out of oppression and poverty, is a testament to this truth. It reminds us that even in our struggles, we can find new ways to express God's love and justice. Similarly, J.R.R. Tolkien's story of Niggle, an artist who only managed to paint one leaf of his grand vision, teaches us that our creative efforts, no matter how small, are part of a larger divine tapestry. In heaven, Niggle sees his tree completed, symbolizing that our work on earth contributes to God's ultimate masterpiece.

We are encouraged to embrace our creativity, whether it is through writing, cooking, or simply the way we dress. Each act of creativity is a reflection of God's image in us and a way to bring His goodness into the world. The Bible invites us to sing a new song to the Lord, to express our unique voice and vision. This is not about achieving perfection but about participating in the divine act of creation. As we engage in creative acts, we are reminded of the childlike wonder that is essential to entering the Kingdom of Heaven.

Key Takeaways:

- Creativity is a divine attribute, reflecting our being made in God's image. It is not confined to the arts but is present in every aspect of life, from how we write an email to how we prepare a meal. Embracing creativity is a way to extend God's kingdom on earth. [01:29]

- The story of Bezalel in Exodus 35 shows that God values creativity as a spiritual act. Bezalel was filled with the Spirit to create art for the Tabernacle, highlighting that creativity is a form of worship and a way to express God's presence. [02:42]

- Creativity often arises from adversity, as seen in the birth of hip-hop. This movement, born out of oppression, demonstrates that even in difficult circumstances, we can find new ways to express God's love and justice. [05:24]

- J.R.R. Tolkien's story of Niggle teaches us that our creative efforts, no matter how small, contribute to God's larger masterpiece. In heaven, Niggle sees his tree completed, symbolizing that our work on earth is part of a divine tapestry. [08:29]

- We are encouraged to embrace our creativity in everyday life. Whether through writing, cooking, or dressing, each act of creativity reflects God's image in us and brings His goodness into the world. This is not about perfection but about participating in the divine act of creation. [11:45]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - The Power of Creativity
- [00:34] - Becoming a New Creation
- [01:02] - Made in the Image of the Creator
- [01:46] - The First Spirit-Filled Artist
- [02:42] - Creativity as a Spiritual Act
- [03:13] - Everyday Creativity
- [04:18] - Combining the Unlikely
- [05:07] - Hip-Hop and Justice
- [06:10] - Tolkien's Niggle
- [07:31] - The Vision of a Tree
- [08:29] - God's Ultimate Masterpiece
- [09:47] - Makoto Fujimura's Inspiration
- [10:51] - Embracing Little C Creativity
- [11:45] - Bringing Goodness and Newness
- [12:56] - Closing Remarks

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Embracing Creativity as a Divine Gift

Bible Reading:
- Exodus 35:30-35
- Genesis 1:1-2
- Psalm 96:1

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Observation Questions:

1. In Exodus 35, what specific skills and abilities did God give Bezalel, and for what purpose were they intended? [02:24]

2. How does the sermon describe the first instance of someone being filled with the Spirit in the Bible, and what was the purpose of this filling? [02:42]

3. What examples from the sermon illustrate how creativity can emerge from adversity? [05:24]

4. How does the story of Niggle, as shared in the sermon, illustrate the concept of our creative efforts contributing to a larger divine masterpiece? [08:29]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean to be made in the image of the Creator, and how does this relate to our capacity for creativity? [01:02]

2. How can the story of Bezalel inspire us to view our everyday tasks as acts of worship and creativity? [02:42]

3. In what ways does the hip-hop movement serve as an example of creativity arising from difficult circumstances, and how can this inspire us in our own lives? [05:24]

4. How does the story of Niggle challenge our understanding of success and the value of our creative contributions, no matter how small? [08:29]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt creative. How did that experience reflect God's image in you, and how can you incorporate more creativity into your daily life? [01:29]

2. Consider the story of Bezalel. What is one small task or project in your life that you can approach as an act of worship and creativity this week? [02:42]

3. Think about a challenging situation you are currently facing. How might you use creativity to find a new way to express God's love and justice in that situation? [05:24]

4. The sermon mentions the importance of childlike wonder in entering the Kingdom of Heaven. What is one way you can cultivate a sense of wonder and creativity in your spiritual life this week? [12:25]

5. Identify a mundane task you do regularly, such as cooking or writing emails. How can you approach this task with a creative mindset to reflect God's goodness? [11:45]

6. Reflect on the story of Niggle. What is one small creative effort you have made that you believe contributes to a larger purpose or vision? How can you continue to nurture this effort? [08:29]

7. The sermon encourages us to "sing a new song to the Lord." What is one new way you can express your unique voice and vision in your relationship with God this week? [11:17]

Devotional

Day 1: Creativity as a Reflection of God's Image
Creativity is a divine attribute, reflecting our being made in God's image. It is not confined to the arts but is present in every aspect of life, from how we write an email to how we prepare a meal. Embracing creativity is a way to extend God's kingdom on earth. [01:29]

Genesis 1:27-28 (ESV): "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'"

Reflection: In what small, everyday task can you intentionally reflect God's creativity today, and how might this change your perspective on that task?


Day 2: Creativity as a Spiritual Act
The story of Bezalel in Exodus 35 shows that God values creativity as a spiritual act. Bezalel was filled with the Spirit to create art for the Tabernacle, highlighting that creativity is a form of worship and a way to express God's presence. [02:42]

Exodus 35:30-31 (ESV): "Then Moses said to the people of Israel, 'See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship.'"

Reflection: How can you use your unique skills and talents as a form of worship this week, and what might that look like in your daily life?


Day 3: Creativity from Adversity
Creativity often arises from adversity, as seen in the birth of hip-hop. This movement, born out of oppression, demonstrates that even in difficult circumstances, we can find new ways to express God's love and justice. [05:24]

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (ESV): "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed."

Reflection: Think of a challenging situation you are currently facing. How might you creatively express God's love and justice through this adversity?


Day 4: Contribution to God's Masterpiece
J.R.R. Tolkien's story of Niggle teaches us that our creative efforts, no matter how small, contribute to God's larger masterpiece. In heaven, Niggle sees his tree completed, symbolizing that our work on earth is part of a divine tapestry. [08:29]

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

Reflection: What small creative effort can you make today, trusting that it contributes to God's greater plan, even if you can't see the full picture now?


Day 5: Embracing Everyday Creativity
We are encouraged to embrace our creativity in everyday life. Whether through writing, cooking, or dressing, each act of creativity reflects God's image in us and brings His goodness into the world. This is not about perfection but about participating in the divine act of creation. [11:45]

Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."

Reflection: Identify one area of your daily routine where you can infuse creativity, and consider how this act can serve as a reflection of God's goodness to those around you.

Quotes


In the beginning God creates he is extending his kingdom and then he makes you in His image to have dominion you are made to be creative to innovate to dream to make novel connections to bring a unique stamp into this world doesn't have to be dramatic or look big but it is you that is extending your Little Kingdom so often people think of spirituality as well I'm just supposed to color inside the lines and kind of give robotic uh obedience and they forget people forget how much God loves it when you're creative. [00:01:13]

The very first time in the Bible that it talks about God filling somebody with a spirit it's not to preach it's not to heal it's not to govern it's not to prophesy it's to do artwork it's to be creative because God loves it when we're creating now you may be saying I'm not creative folks who do research in this area distinguish between Big C creativity Beethoven Van Gogh somebody like that and literacy creativity for people like you and me. [00:02:46]

How do you write this email how do you fix this meal how do you decorate a room how do you greet somebody how do you put on your God fills us with his spirit so that we can create something that wouldn't have existed if it wasn't for us and we long for that every little child knows that they're creative because that's part of God's thumbprint on every life. [00:03:13]

And in many ways was born it started apparently in the Bronx when DJ Cool hurt did a little back to school party for his sister and brought a couple of record players and out of a culture that involved a lot of Oppression and a lot of poverty came uh the hip-hop movement I was reading a fascinating article called hip-hop hermeneutics by a guy named Douglas Ratcliffe about how our appreciation for God and His concern and his passion for justice can be seen through fresh and creative eyes out of hip-hop culture. [00:04:46]

And in this story niggle is an artist in a little village and he has a vision much bigger than him he wants to paint a tree the greatest most beautiful most vibrant inspiring tree that has ever been captured to have it stand in front of a vast forest in a great mountain range ends up with this enormous mule with ladders it's such a great vision but he can't get much done on it partly it's because he's such a perfectionist he's never satisfied with any detail and partly his kiss he's the kind of guy that's easily interrupted. [00:06:29]

Eventually one day he ends up in a place that we might think of as heaven and he's riding his bicycle and he sees something that is so stunning to him that it makes him fall off his bike here's what Tolkien wrote before him stood the tree history finished if you could say that of a tree that was alive its leaves opening its branches growing and bending In The Wind that niggle had so often felt or gassed and had so often failed to catch he gazed at the tree and slowly he lifted his arms and opened them wide. [00:07:36]

Once or twice in your life you may feel like you finally gotten a leaf out whatever your work you need to know this there really is a tree now in the Bible the tree is called Shalom God's Great project whatever you are seeing in your work the city of justice and peace the world of Brilliance and beauty the order the healing it is there there is a God there is a future healed world and your work is showing it in part to others so don't you give up on that world because it's your work is a part of what God is doing. [00:08:37]

There is a great artist at work you were made to be creative doesn't have to be Big C kimpy little C but don't get stuck in a rut today this is the only time today is ever going to happen and you are the only you that's ever going to walk through your life so do something to spark that creative impulse image aliveness inside you the Bible says sing to the Lord a new song Today sing a song to God if you don't have a good voice go where nobody can hear you and just sing. [00:10:48]

And that creates uh creativity inside us writes something and don't worry about anybody looking at it just write words to God or words that Express the song of your soul or Draw Something or wear something today that's going to be at least a little bit on the creative side so somebody will say I like those pants write creatively an email to somebody else the way that you decorate a room the way that you fix a meal today you are bringing the goodness and newness and uniqueness of your little kingdom. [00:11:18]

Hover for a moment in Genesis 1 2 it says that uh before God created the spirit hovered over the deep and I think about that there's a wonderful book called orbiting the giant hairball about working with creative people and the author says that with creative types they're kind of like cows where they spend most of the day just standing in the field eating grass looks like they're not doing much but milk's Gonna Come and so that's the process just spend some time today in wonder and allow yourself the permission to create. [00:12:10]

Be again like a little child because it's the only way to enter the Kingdom of Heaven change is coming today. [00:12:29]

And he did this after the great pain of 9 11. he was actually trapped underground and said it was miraculous thing that he was able to survive so he was not able to do much work and the pain after that this one painting he got started and he said he wasn't able to finish it but the watermarks were such that over time they emerged more and more until 22 years later the painting had kind of finished itself and it is today in a museum in Shanghai. [00:10:14]

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Transcript
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