We are Created to Create!
/There's a trend that has been capturing the attention of many to attend a "Paint Nite" , where for a few hours, groups come together and are coached to bring out the inner artist in us. Sometimes in studios, libraries, or over a glass of wine in restaurants or bars. Others have started up their own business like a friend of mine who started up "Leslie's Coffee and Canvas". Fun, Fun!
I ended up going to three paint nights in one year and I loved every minute of it. I found it to be a stress reliever actually. Other than having some fun, I see paint nights as a way to free our minds, enlarge our hearts and to not be so afraid of making mistakes. The analogies are so beautiful when it comes to us being released to create when reflecting on God's creative hand. As God is the master artist, the "Creator" of the world, I know He isn't afraid of making mistakes. We are not a mistake. We make mistakes, but grace covers it all. Here are a few of my art lessons for life:
We can live with a clean slate
We can be free to dream and begin (again) to create
We're to bring the "God colors" into the world
We are created to create
Can you just imagine what it was like before the creation of the world? I envision God in all His fullness- Father God, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit all communicating together to create a world where there would be men and women created in their image, and impacting the world with their mandate, principles and passion to enlarge the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. The word says:
“Let us make mankind in our image, to be like us. So God created human beings in His own image. In the image of God He created them; male and female.”
We are created to be a part of God's creative order, in all of life's complexity. We are created for divine creativity as God truly sees us as His "masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus before the creation of the World" (Ephesians 2:10). He sees our potential AND He knows our rough edges. He longs to give us a clean slate from the wrongs that we have done and the wrongs that have been done to us.
Many ask me why the word "restoration" seems to be my favourite word. Well, quite simply, it's what encompasses the entire message of the Bible. From the beginning of time as recorded in Genesis, to the end of time as we know it as written in the book of Revelation, our God is one who Restores. When I've been through my own setbacks (and might I say attacks in life), I know there is a God who fights for me who loves me deeply who sets me on my journey to restoration and an enemy of my soul who seeks to destroy me. When I see attacks on marriage, attacks on gender, oppression of men and women in the many injustices faced all around, I see an attack on the image of God.
We are created in His image as men and woman. There is so much more to creations story than we can ever fully comprehend on this side of heaven. We may not all be artsy, but we are all created to reflect God's image.
Where are you at in living as a masterpiece?
Do you need that clean slate experience? God is a God of incredible do overs. Pray.
Are you afraid of making a mistake? Step out in faith and ask God to give you grace for regrets and faith for your fears. Do it afraid!
Do you see life as only black and white or a whole lot of grey? Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit and engage in spiritual disciplines to awaken your spirit to the "God colors" of the world.
Go forth and Create!
“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”
