Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about creativity. Partly because I’ve started a new group called Creative Connections. Partly because I learned more about creativity through the books and presentation of Julia Cameron. And partly because I like the topic.
After pondering about creativity, I’ve come up with two definitions:
- To make something out of nothing
- To repurpose something for another use
Writers understand the whole making-something-out-of-nothing every time they face a blank page. When creativity thrives, that blank page soon fills with words, paragraphs, and chapters. Or it becomes a blog post such as this one.
Repurposing plays a major role in my life. I’m always repurposing something for another use. Why buy something new when you can nurture your creativity and repurpose?
Such as redesigning the décor on my living room mantel. Or creating a gluten free recipe from the usual wheat-filled and processed foods. Finding a treasure at a flea market.
But isn’t our personal creativity something more? Can our souls fill with hope when we realize more of our creative design?
Each of us became real living and breathing human beings because God took a bunch of dirt and created a man. Then he repurposed a rib to create a woman.
But beyond the physical, the Divine Three also placed within us special giftings:
- Intuition that notices when something is out-of-sync
- A caring spirit that recognizes when another human is hurting
- Inner sensors that discern a wrong direction leading to destruction or despair
- A reproductive spirit that helps plants thrive and grow
- An ability to understand animals and become a whisperer that causes them to trust
These are just some of the creative giftings that move beyond the usual gifts of the Spirit. The beautiful thing about creativity is that it can be different in every human being. And it can develop over time.
Many of us facing the last act may notice we have a bit more intuition these days. The wisdom we have grown into helps us discern what is important and what can be ignored. These creative giftings help us do life safely and find more security in how we grow and thrive during our last years.
It also gives us the ability to help youngers on their journey. One of the saddest things in our world is when the elders no longer believe in themselves or in their creativity — when they give in to the “You’re just too old” mentality, sit back, take their medicines, and rock away their final years.
But as the youngers listen and observe our creativity, they can also spur us toward hope. As I observe my son and daughter-in-love working and thriving, I see a new generation of hope-filled creatives. They will have to redesign our broken political system.
They must be responsible for how we will use the internet and the AI configurations. They will be forced to figure out better ways to stay healthy as the medical systems face more conflict. And to survive, they must find creative ways to save the planet.
And these amazing young ones will need to move us toward peace.
Why has God given us creative gifts? Because we are made in his image, and he is the first Creator. Because he tasked us with the job of taking care of the earth. Because we are made to love the Trinity and love others.
Creativity can lead us toward more ways to love.
My definitions of creativity lead me to ask myself a question, and also to share it with you. What is your creative role in God’s love story?
And how can you use your role to make a difference this year?
©2023 RJ Thesman – All Rights Reserved
My newest e-book addresses a difficult topic from a different point of view. Check it out: To Be Alive: The Hidden Story of Abortion.
Sometimes our lives can be broken in a new (and unexpected) way. I’m borrowing from Richard Rohr’s theme this year, the first and second halves of our lives. You experienced an unexpected evolving of your intimate family. The necessity of moving forward caused you to draw on unused and perhaps unimagined creativity. ❤️
Good point. Thank you, Diana.