You are Called to be Creative: Learning the Creative Nature of God

Creativity Matters to God

Creativity is not talked much about in church. Growing up in church, I remember doing crafts at VBS, and Christmas plays as a kid and praise dances as a teenager. But I can’t say I ever attended a bible study or class about growing this unique gift of creativity. Creativity is so important to God and we are going to explore some scriptures on creativity to help learn the creative nature of God.

If you ever wondered:

Am I creative?
Can my creativity make a difference?
Is there a place for my creativity in the church?
If I’m a creative, am I aligned with God?

The answer to each question is Yes! Yes! Yes!

Connecting your creativity to the Creator makes creating not only a gift but also a calling.

Number 1: It all started “In The Beginning”

The very first scripture in the bible starts with, “In the beginning God created…” So if we are going to talk about Creativity we must first talk about THE CREATOR. How exciting, in the first 5 words of the bible, which is God’s instruction manual for life, we learn about God’s ability and power to create. Genesis 1:1 states He created the heaven and the earth. Every heavenly thing, every earthly thing God placed into existence. Even those bugs that I hate so much, God created them with purpose. To be clear, the word EVERYTHING includes YOU!

Today, people use the word “creator” to describe artists and creative types. I want to take that word a little further. “Creator” means someone who brings something into existence. For certain, we must acknowledge that God is the ULTIMATE CREATOR because all things come from him. Listen, if anyone can give a Masterclass on creativity, God can. It took a creative God to birth our creativity. Let’s tap in that greatness.

Number 2: We are His Workmanship

Genesis 1:27 says we were created in His image. Firstly, we’ve established that God is the master creator and was creative in how He made each thing on earth. Secondly, if God is creative, and we were created in His image, then we have creativity birthed right into us as well.

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

You are God’s handiwork. You were created by God for purpose. For example, Psalms 139:14 declares we are Fearfully and Wonderfully made. If you ever wondered if your creativity can make a difference the answer is ABSOLUTELY. It was given to you for “good works.” God knit this beautiful gift in you while you were still in your mother’s womb. Develop your creativity as a praise to God’s handiwork. Put those creative juices toward “good works.”

I’ve created a free printable that includes 6 affirmation statements that every creative can say each day to remind themselves that their creativity matters to God. Read the statements out loud. Quote the scriptures on creativity and live everyday to your fullest potential. Fill out the form below to download your free copy.

Number 3: There’s a Place for You in the Tabernacle

From the beginning, God used creative gifts to help build his tabernacle. In the book of Exodus, starting around chapter 25, God instructed the Israelites to build a portable tabernacle as a place for worship while they were in the wilderness. God was very descriptive details about how to build the place of worship.

Studying the Tabernacle

Honestly, the study of the Tabernacle is a whole bible study by itself. Digging into creating and maintaining a holy and reverent place when we worship, is a lifechanging study. If you’ve never read about the making of the Tabernacle in Exodus, please do. The wording is so artistic and beautiful. They created a masterpiece from basic materials, all from God’s direction. Here’s a video that explains Exodus very well and what Jesus did for us.

Artists and the Tabernacle

Meanwhile, in Exodus 35: 30-35, Moses, who was the leader of the Israelites at the time, explained to the group that there were those among them that had great artistic skills.

“and he has filled him 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 artistic crafts…He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers.”
Exodus 35:32-35 (NIV)

In this text, God was revealing artistic skills and using them to build His tabernacle. The Israelites used their creative skill to give glory to God. For instance, all the beautiful tapestries and covering in the tabernacle were created by a craftsman. From the mirrored sink to the beautifully constructed ark of the covenant, God used crafters and skilled workers to help bring glory in His dwelling place. So, if you are asking if your creativity has a place in the church, the answer is ABSOLUTELY YES! Your creativity matters to God.

Number 4: Creativity is NOT Just for Artists

In life, I’ve heard so many times that creativity is only for painters, designers, musicians, crafters and artists alike. Let me be clear, Creativity is for ALL God’s creation and is already apart of EVERY person on this earth. Knowing that our creative God made us in such a beautifully creative way, invokes an inspiring admiration of his creation. He made YOU. God formed a ball of greatness and labeled it with your name on it. And yes, creativity is in that mix. Developing our creative nature helps us to experience the greatness of God in a majestic way. Stand in admiration of what God has done in your life.

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.
Romans 12:4-6a (NIV)

In short, we all have some type of gift from God and we need each other to be complete.

Using creativity in every area of life

To explain, I work as the Church Administrator full-time at my church. When my father hired me for this position, he was initially concerned that I wouldn’t be creatively challenged enough, knowing that I’m a creative being. I told him I could find creativity in anything. And I did. I enjoy finding creative ways to budget (sounds kinda silly, but true). I challenge myself to find creative ways to present financial information to non-numbers people. Ultimately, growing your creative muscle can have benefits in every area of your life. (I talk more about 9 ways crafting can change your life HERE)

Number 5: Tap In

All in all, birthing your creativity is birthing what God has placed inside of you for the world. Don’t abort the vision. The world needs what you will create. We’re waiting on you! Tap into the creative nature of God. Further, in 1 Corinthians 2:9, the bible tells us that, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” (KJV).

So, whatever your mind can think of, God has even more planned for your life. Our human nature can not even conceive the greatness of God’s majesty. That gets me so excited! Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you on your creative path and reveal to you through these scriptures on creativity how to tap into the creativity of God.

Additional Scriptures on Creativity

If you would like to further your study on how creativity matters to God, check out these additional instances in the bible:

David’s musician ability caused demons to flee – 1 Samuel 16:23
Solomon wrote poetry and proverbs – Song of Solomon
Tabitha made clothing for the poor – Acts 9:36-43
What other examples do you find in the bible about creativity? Leave a message below.