A favourite family pastime is visiting new independent coffee shops. One recent discovery was 5A in Stranmillis, Belfast.
As you know from this page I love collecting quotes. In one of the magazines in 5A ‘The Duncairn’ I read this:
‘Creativity belongs to the artist in each of us. To create means to relate. The root meaning of the word art is ‘to fit together’ and we all do this every day.
Not all of us are painters but we are all artists. Each time we fit things together we are creating – whether it is to make a loaf of bread, a child, a day.’
(Corita Kent)
I liked the quote more when Google told me that Corita Kent was a nun- who created pop art!
I love that idea that we are all artists.
My daughter is truly creative. I can just about draw a stick man while Caris achieved A* in GCSE Art.
Few of us can draw or paint masterpieces but we all have the imprint of our Creative God on our lives.
His handiwork is displayed in the awesome brushstrokes across the sky at daybreak & sunset. In star-studded nights. In fingerprints & heartbeats.
And we are made in His image.
‘For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.’
(Ephesians 2:10 NLT)
The Greek term here translated ‘masterpiece’ or ‘workmanship’ (poiema) is the word from which we get our English word ‘poem.’
‘Being his workmanship doesn’t mean we are all poets. It means we are all poems, individual created works of a creative God. And this poetry comes out uniquely through us as we worship, think, love, pray, rest, work, and exist.’
(Emily P Freeman)
C S Lewis said “We are a divine work of art.”
And we are God’s masterpiece, not because of anything we have done. But because of God & His gift of grace:
‘God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.’
(Ephesians 2:8 NLT)
In the Old Testament God used artisans to build the tabernacle. Bezalel was ‘filled with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze,in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship. ‘(Exodus 31:1-5)
Today we ‘are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple.’
(1 Peter 2:5 NLT) We don’t just go to church- we are the church.
As living stones we are all different. Our individual creativity is unique. But we are created to create good things designed by God the creator of all.
What are you created to create?
*Nourishing food
*Melody & harmony
*Words that build up souls
*Small group encouragement
*Childrens’ programmes
*Barista coffee & artisan cake
*Photograph memories
*Pastel paintings
* Space in your schedule to listen
*A welcoming home
*A happy childhood
‘There’s no way to be a perfect writer, painter, birthday cake maker but there’s a million ways to be a good one.’
(Holley Gerth)
So be you & do your thing!
It’s liberating to ponder that life is more than following rules. It’s about being & becoming who we were created to be!
‘For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.’
(Philippians 2:13 NLT)
We create not just in our day jobs but in the margins of our days:
‘When our days aren’t filled to the brim, we have more capacity to feed our creativity, be present with others, tend to our own souls, and be attentive to God being with us.
May God renew your spirit, bless you with creativity, and give you a zest for life as you seek out small spaces to find inspiration.’
(Katherine Butler)
‘No moment is useless, no day void, when shaped by the creative power of love.’
(Sally Clarkson)
So, ‘Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.’
(Colossians 3:23 NLT)
Consider ‘What’s in your hand?‘
Ask God what He has prepared for you to create with Him today.
For, you are created to create!
Blessings,
Ruthx
PS You might like:
You are His workmanship-Desiring God
Three questions to help you discover what you were created to create– Living by Design
When you dare to be who you are– Emily P Freeman
And if you like your indy coffee –The Independent Coffee Guide no. 2
Blessed! 