For: The Institute of Contemporary and Emerging Worship Studies, in St. Stephen’s University, Essentials Blue Online Worship Theology Course with Dan Wilt
The question of whether creativity resides in all of us is one that I’ve pondered for quite some time now. I really don’t agree with the commonly-held belief that many people are entirely devoid of creativity.
I’ve occasionally tested individuals’ musical “ears” (purely out of interest) and have almost always found what I believe to be latent talent; and that’s just in the field of music (and, by the way, I’d also argue that a genuine appreciation of any art form indicates some sort of talent.) The visual arts, poetry, cookery, comedy, perfumery, sculpting… these are obvious examples of creativity but, as Dan mentioned in his video, creativity takes many, many forms, so many, in fact, that it would surely be incredible to happen upon a person gifted with none of them.
It puts me in mind of a song by Keith Green:
We are like windows
Stained with colors of the rainbow
Set in a darkened room
Till the bridegroom comes to shine through
Then the colors fall around our feet
Over those we meet
Covering all the gray that we see
Rainbow colors of assorted hues
Come exchange your blues
For His love that you see shining through me
(you can find the full lyrics here)
Speaking for myself, what has held me back creatively has been areas where I’ve been damaged. Fear of destructive criticism, fear of failing, fear of revealing emotion. As I’ve drawn closer to God I’ve experienced healing and my inhibitions have diminished (confession: I’m still not perfect.)
Rather than watching Sky+ in our ivory towers and counting our royalties, shouldn’t those of us who are already “shining” (or, rather, “allowing God to shine through us”) be encouraging those that aren’t? Not “Do a bit of macramé and you’ll feel so much better about yourself,” of course – more like “Your Father is really quite amazing, you know – why don’t we see if you’ve inherited any of that?”
P.s. It just occurred to me this morning that I’m a work of art. Not a da Vinci, or a Monet, or Rachmaninov – the Artist that painted me puts that lot in the shade. Makes me feel special, although you lot are by the same artist.
It’s very interesting reading a person’s thoughts, and I particularly enjoyed this post.
Your comments about the areas where you’ve been damaged ring so true for so many people I think. And I also think (for me anyway) a lot of them come from outside church, but a lot will have come from within the church, which I’d have to argue is so much worse. God’s people should know better.
I’m really happy that you’ve grown closer to God and that you’ve experienced His healing. I hope that you’ll never experience these sorts of criticisms or fears within God’s family again, and I also hope that you feel able to reveal more and more yourself to your friends and family (in the wider expression of the word) without fear of rejection. You’re a great guy!
Be blessed!
Thanks for posting!
Ryan.