I was in college when I realized for the first time that my creativity was more than just a special hobby. My friend gave me a book that was all about faith and creativity, and suddenly in Genesis 1 came alive in a brand new way; my work took on a whole new significance.
In Genesis 1, God is introduced as the Creator of the universe. We read about a God who brought light into darkness, separated the sky from the waters, and filled the earth with abundant life. The very beginning of the Bible is centered around these creative acts of God.
Then, in verse 27, we read that humans are made in his image.
Whenever we doubt whether creativity has a place in our lives, this passage in the Bible offers a beautiful place to begin.
Of course, this isn’t always the first place we look. It can be easier to see what someone else has made and assume right away that we aren’t creative enough.
We might remember an art class we once struggled through or decide that creativity belongs to people with a certain kind of talent, quietly disqualifying ourselves.
Sometimes we’re so quick to say, “I’m just not creative,” despite knowing deep down that there exists a quiet longing in our heart to pick up a paintbrush, write a song, or make something special for our home.
Other times, the fear of making something disappointing or “wasting” time and resources has become the biggest hurdle in the way of acting on our ideas. So we delay, we shrug off, we neglect the small whisper in our hearts that begs to participate in the joy of making.
I wonder, how would our outlook on creativity change if we started with what Scripture tells us about our Creator?
The Invitation to Create
Being made in God’s image is about so much more than creativity. As image bearers of God, we are called to reflect his character in all aspects of our life, and this includes our capacity to make things and cultivate our creative ideas.
In Genesis 1:28 we see that God assigns Adam and Eve with the creative assignment of filling and stewarding the new world around them. It’s clear that, right away, they have become meaningful participants in what God created. They are invited into a creative process.
And this is not because Adam and Eve had to prove themselves first. They did not earn or compete for the gift of partaking in what God made. In Genesis 1:27–28, God makes them, blesses them, and turns over the invitation of becoming an active participant in stewarding the earth.
If you’ve ever kept a garden you know that this kind of work is deeply creative.
So not only do we see in this chapter of the Bible that creativity is a part of our identity as image bearers of God, but the ability to exercise this design is a free invitation.
We Are All Creative, But Our Gifts Are Unique
When we’re not feeling creative enough, I think it can be easy to confuse identity with talent—to compare the output of our gifts with that of others and think that what we’ve made is a worthy measure of our creativity.
But this just isn’t true. We don’t all need to become artists to make room for more creativity in our lives.
We all have unique abilities when it comes to creative work and they take shape in many different ways.
Some of us paint and draw, yes. But so many of us are excellent at cooking, growing gardens, throwing pottery, writing thoughtful letters, or finding sweet ways to care for a neighbor.
Embracing our creativity is best practiced when we consider how we can bring a new idea or solution to a situation. And when we invite the Holy Spirit into this process, the experience is made all the sweeter.
As a painter, I’ve found that color really helps me slow down and pay attention to God’s presence in the midst of my daily work. The colors in my paintings have given me a way to physically respond to Scripture and what I’m learning about God, while also resulting in an output that helps others do the same. I didn’t realize this was happening when I first began my career as a fine artist, but I’ve come to cherish this element of my creative process, especially while writing Seeing God in Color. Now color is an active part of what it means for me to live a creative life.
We all have something special to offer the world, something that can point us and others to Jesus. And even when we’re not sure what that is right away, we can trust God to empower us on the journey of figuring out what that is.
So embrace your unique creative gifts; simply start. You never know what God will reveal in the process.
What God Can Do with Ordinary Materials
I love the story of Jesus’s first recorded miracle in the Bible because it, in part, points to the power of God to do something extraordinary with ordinary materials and people.
In summary, John 2:1–12 tells a story of Jesus at a wedding with his disciples in Cana, when suddenly the bride and groom run out of wine. This would have been incredibly shameful during this time, so Mary, Jesus’s mother, pleads with him to do something about it. Jesus tells the servers to go fill six large jugs with water, and then miraculously turns them into wine. But it’s not just regular wine—it’s really good wine. So good that the master of ceremony tastes it and proclaims that they saved the best wine for last.
Jesus takes something mundane and normal and turns it into something extravagant and special.
And in a way, is that not how it feels to create something? Is taking a mundane material or an idea from our head and bringing it to life as a new creation not a beautiful example of participating in the miraculous with Jesus?
When I approach my canvas, especially when I paint with one of my favorite colors, a rich garnet—the shade of a deep red wine—and watch a beautiful abstract painting emerge from a boring, blank canvas, I can’t help but reflect on God’s transformative power in our lives. He can transform materials, situations, and even hearts.
And the people in this story are special too. We must remember that we serve a God who loves participation. Jesus didn’t grab the jars and fill them up himself before making wine out of water. No, he allowed the servants at the wedding to participate in the miracle. We see here that God loves to work with us in all areas of life, including our creative efforts.
Give Your Perfectionism to God
I’m no stranger to perfectionism, and I’m sure you aren’t either.
As an artist, I’ve learned to notice how perfectionism is actually pretty sneaky in the ways it often shows up as a mask for much deeper feelings, like doubt, comparison, and insecurity. Even the fear of wasting time or materials can present itself as perfectionism.
I’ve seen firsthand how the pressure of wanting to make something impressive can actually rob us of so much joy and freedom, that we can begin to lose sight of what we hoped to express in the first place. Oftentimes, we focus so much on getting it right that we don’t even try.
Whenever these feelings surface, I find it helpful to remember who we’re creating for. Are we creating something to impress others, or are we expressing our ideas with the hope of honoring the Lord?
Colossians 3:17 gives us a beautiful way to focus our hearts as we work and tune out the various lies disguised as perfectionism. It says, “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (ESV).
We must do everything in our lives, including our creative pursuits, not for the approval of others but in the name of Jesus, with gratitude.
Colossians 3:23 offers another sweet reminder: “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people” (NLT).
I found that focusing on working to honor God and tuning out the idea that others might scrutinize it really helps perfectionism start to fade away.
Let me be honest: This isn’t always easy. But we can return to Colossians 3:17 and 23 over and over as we practice fixing our gaze on the one who created us to be creative and express our unique gifts with boldness and courage.
As we do this, we can even begin every task with this simple prayer: “Lord, help me create from a place of gratitude, in a way that honors you. Replace all comparisons with confidence and let the work of my life glorify you.”
Some things we create will end up being shared, and when we share, may we channel that kind of confidence. Other things may stay in a sketchbook or be given to one person—these creations are still worthy of our time. Regardless of our output, may we continue practicing turning our attention toward God as we create.
And when perfectionism returns, we can return to him.
An Invitation + A Prayer for When You Don’t Feel Creative Enough
I invite you today to commit to a small expression of creativity.
This could be going on a nature walk, shooting a photo on an analogue camera, drawing a picture, writing a poem—even reorganizing your cupboards in a more efficient way if that’s what fills you up.
Plan to start with 5–10 minutes of this activity and take note of the ways that God might be speaking to you in it—maybe there’s a verse he wants you to meditate on, or a lesson he’s teaching you about patience and slowing down. Really lean into your creative identity as an image bearer of God as you work. Remember to thank him for the ways he made your mind to see things from a unique perspective.
And before you begin, here’s a simple prayer for you to pray. Feel free to speak it out loud and return to it again:
Lord, thank you for creating me in your image.
Thank you for giving me a creative mind and a unique set of gifts and talents.
Fill me with the boldness to express myself confidently, in a way that honors you.
I choose today to release the pressure to make something “perfect,” resisting the urge to compare my work to others whose stories and talents are so different from mine.
Give me eyes to look at what I’ve made with grace, remembering that there are always ways to grow.
May my creativity become a source of incredible joy in my life.
Help me to delight in the process of working hand in hand with you, Lord.
Amen.
Photo credit: Anna Núñez
