I want to talk about something today that I feel like doesn’t get talked about enough. Creativity. We look around every day and look at a world filled with beautiful nature, excellent craftsmanship, and individuals who are each unique in every way from us. We look at it all, but something doesn’t quite sink in. We live in a world that was designed by an all-powerful creator, yet we forget to acknowledge the power that is in that. We forget the intricate processes of the body that allows us to function on a daily basis. We forget the fact that nature has an inner working system that literally gives life. And we forget that we have been designed with the ability to use our own creative minds. Each of us is unique, designed by a creator, each with the ability to give back with our own gifts. All of us have talents and abilities that add to the kingdom and the world we live in.

Maybe this makes sense to you or maybe this is kinda confusing, and that’s okay. I know for me, I didn’t think I had any talents or abilities for creativity. I saw people around me doing really incredible things, and even now I am surrounded by incredibly talented people. These people are my friends, my students, and my family; creative minds are all around us. The thing is, even if you don’t feel like you have the same ability to use your talents, you are surely mistaken. Still unsure? Paul the apostle speaks to this in 1^st Corinthians 12:4-11 which says,

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.”

When we are in Christ, we have gifts that we can use to grow the kingdom. You are able to take what you are already gifted at and able to use that to its full potential. I want to spend the next few paragraphs to help you see how to find your own skills, how to grow them, and how they will impact everything you do.

Take risks.

One of the easiest ways to see what you’re good at is to try something. Simple yet important. A little over a year ago, I wanted to express myself more. I felt like I had a message to give and a story to tell, but no outlet to do it. I come from a family that has awesome talents. My sister is a skilled artist, my mom is gifted and classically trained in music, and my dad has the ability to build and craft things with his hands. That’s only just my immediate family. My grandfather is a skilled woodworker and if you ever find yourself in Janesville, Wisconsin, check out Rotary Gardens. You’ll most likely see things my grandpa has built with his talents. I always look at my grandfather with awe, he is incredibly talented and creates incredible masterpieces with simple pieces of wood. I have all these people in my life that have such skills and it makes me feel like Napoleon Dynamite who makes up that he has bow hunting skills. Many of us would stop there, to see other people and get discouraged from trying new things ourselves. We can’t stop, God has given us so much more potential than that. We need to take risks. Not in a daredevil way that will get you hurt, but in a way that stretches you more than you thought you could. A little over a year ago, I knew I had something to give. I’m a man who loves God. I’m a man that loves warm tea (because too hot burns you, yo), comic books (so much good messages in them), and b-movies (who doesn’t love a good time to riff on poorly done movies?). I started this blog, which led me to a love of writing, which led me to want to be a writer full time. It starts with a step, and if you fail, you get up and try something else.

Surround yourself with people that push you.

When you grab onto something you love, you want to cultivate that skill. So what exactly can you do? Push yourself by bringing people around you that drive you to be better. Lone wolfing it won’t help you. You need other creative people around you. This will help you look at the world through different points of view, allowing your conversations to give you inspiration and new outlooks on everything around you. God made all of us unique, no one person is alike, and each person has something to give. Your peers have something to give, just like you. So surround yourself with creative minds.

You can speak life into others with your story.

As you try new things and grow your skills, you add to your story. The narrative that is your life is being added to on a daily basis. The good times and the bad, each is shaping who you are and giving you a voice. Everything you have seen, all that you have experienced, allows you to speak into the lives of others. You can comfort those who are hurting, let them know that God has bigger plans for their life. I know in my life, I’ve experienced so much. Hurt, loss, and pain, but I’ve also experienced love, joy, and freedom. We all have something to give, we all have gifts. We have been designed by one who is above all things, and he gives you a voice. Use your voice to speak life.

I love the beauty in the world around us. So much creativity done by the master of all things. Maybe this post spoke to you, or maybe not. I hope that you see just how important you are in the landscape of this world. Each of you play a role, each have skills that are unlike anyone else. One thing you can be sure of, is that you are special. You were made by a God that created the stars in the sky, the emotions we feel, and the intricacies all around us. God made all of this and decided that it needed you. He made you. I don’t know what you might be good at and I’ve not seen what gives you life, but I do know that you were created by the highest God. That means everything, your life has value. Don’t ever forget that, even for a moment.

Use your creativity because you were designed by an incredible Savior.