Drawing Near to God: The Source of All Creativity

God is the ultimate creator, the One who created all things from nothing and from whom all creativity flows (Genesis 1:1-31). Through Jesus, God’s word made flesh, all things were created (John 1:14). If we want to be creative in our lives or in anything we do, or if we need to come up with a creative solution to a problem, the first thing we need to do is draw near to the source of all creativity, that is God, through Christ Jesus. How can we do this? There are three ways I have found that I can draw close to God and draw inspiration from the Creator: Time in His presence, Time in His creation, and Time with His people.

Time in His Presence

When I am seeking inspiration and help in the creative department, I like to draw near to God first with a humble heart, knowing that all creativity and all things come from Him out of His loving-kindness. First, I set the mood by creating a peaceful atmosphere so I can hear His voice. Second, I bring something to record what I hear. I avoid using my phone or laptop as they can be more distracting than helpful. Lastly, I pray and read His Word, asking Him to show me what He wants me to see.

Time in His Creation

Nothing inspires me like seeing what God has created. It is like going to the ultimate art gallery. Creativity inspires creativity, and no artwork can rival that of the Creator of the heavens and earth.

Taking time to appreciate the world around me refreshes my spirit and sparks creativity in my soul. Some of the greatest poets have been inspired by nature, and it is no wonder why—it is amazing! If you are lacking inspiration, take a walk or visit a local garden, or just spend time sitting outside. God reveals Himself through the world around us (Romans 1:20). Another thing I like to do when seeking God is to take a prayer walk. That is when I take a walk with nothing but a simple prayer (and maybe a baby in a stroller), and I seek to hear what God is saying. He often reveals Himself through something in the natural world, and when I return home, I am feeling refreshed and usually ready to create something.

Time with His People

In Proverbs 27:17, Solomon tells us, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” We need each other to push each other to be better in all we do, to encourage us to pursue God in all things, and to help us stay strong in our faith in all circumstances. Spending time with brothers and sisters of the faith helps me grow closer to God and, in turn, closer to the source of my creativity. When I am lacking my creative mojo, I find that spending time with other Christians is important and helpful. Whether it is volunteering or fellowship time with other Christians strengthens me and helps to get me in the creative spirit, not to mention people are fascinating and never fail to provide good anecdotes, story inspirations, or other forms of inspiration. Why is that? Because we are all so unique, because we were created that way by God. If the creativity has stopped flowing, try grabbing a Christian friend and heading out on an adventure or just to the local coffee shop, and see how God will work through them and your friendship.

Conclusion

So much of what is considered “art” in today’s culture lacks inspiration and creativity. Hence why there are five Toy Story movies or multiple remakes and sequels of the same tired stories. Hollywood is no doubt far from God, the source of all creativity; therefore, they are far from anything resembling a creative spirit. As Christian creatives, we know the source and how to get close to it. We do not have to suffer the same fate as Hollywood; we can come close to God, and He will infuse us with His creativity because we were made to reflect Him, and part of God’s character is creative. If you are looking to dive into your creativeness, then draw close to God, the source, and surely you will see an infusion of His Spirit and an increase in your creativity.