Years ago, I published a self-help book called:
Created to be Creative
Find Purpose and Fulfilment through Creative Outlets
I’m in the process of updating this book and plan to rerelease it in January.
Below are some excerpts from the book.
Not long ago, I sat in on a home school drawing class, where twenty-two students, ranging in age from six to sixteen, participated. While there, I noticed Lori, one of the parents, took up a drawing board and began to sketch along with the children. Glancing over at her paper, I was pleased to see she had talent; she even took the initiative to add the appropriate shading and made her objects look real. At the end of class, she made the comment, “I didn’t know I could draw,” as she smiled triumphantly.
Lori didn’t realize she could draw because she had never tried.
If we refuse to slow down, it can become a mental and physical snare. Fatigue sets in, numbs the senses, and causes us to overlook the creative moments that come our way. A world of good comes from taking time to observe, to hear, to feel, to dream, to live. Those who continually push themselves to the limit usually end up exhausted and miserable. Creative breaks—including meditation and worship—help us to keep things in perspective and to stay more in tune with our eternal purpose. Think of it as a place where the imagination can soar into a realm of endless possibilities and refreshing fun, a place we try to visit as often as possible.
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Though we build homes, work, raise families, cook, and do all the necessary things to survive, we are not content with this. We crave diversity and must create. Our homes have unique character and possess interest far beyond a roof over our heads. Most houses differ one from another and the personality of the owner is reflected in the appearance of each, inside and out . . .
For those of you who don’t think you’re very creative, stop and take a good look around. Your creative nature is evident in your surroundings; from the colors you choose, to the style you like, to the ambiance you set. It’s apparent at your workplace, too: your organizational skills, your innovative ideas, and the way you express yourself. Creativity shows up in every aspect of daily life . . .
Some of the most touching hymns were written during hardships. H.G. Spafford wrote “It Is Well With My Soul” after his four daughters were killed in a shipwreck off the coast of New Foundland. This song exemplifies Spafford’s determination to focus on his Savior and not on his loss. Even though the accident was dreadful, his ability to pen these words brought comfort and hope; creative expression helped ease his pain.
This song, a perfect illustration of using creative outlets to strengthen others while facing our own difficulties, is still sung today. Sometimes just knowing that others have gone through and overcome similar situations, gives us courage to do the same.
Be honest with yourself about what you can and cannot do. Sometimes people chase after specific talents—not because they’re gifted in that area, but because they think it will make them popular or more impressive in the eyes of others. This purpose does not represent the heart of God, nor should it be our source of motivation.
We might not have the talents we want, but when we discover the talents we have and use them accordingly, contentment comes. From here, we have the opportunity for our creative outlet to bless those it reaches. God not only created us as individuals, He created us with purpose and has given us the abilities needed to fulfill that purpose.
This reminds me of Genesis 26, where God told Isaac to stay in a land that was experiencing famine. Verse 12 tells us, “And Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. The LORD blessed him,” There would have been no crop if Isaac had looked at the improbability of increase and decided not to plant. Ecclesiastes 11:4 shows what happens when we rely on natural instincts, “He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.” Yet verse 6 goes on to say, “In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.” Isaac chose to walk by faith, as we see by his example. The result? God’s favor and provision.
Because of individuality, the quest for the right creative outlet will vary; however, keeping a journal is one outlet that can benefit all who try it. Most can deal with the prospect of keeping a journal because no one else has to read it and personal expression has full reign within its pages.
Depending upon your view of creativity, your journal entries might start with “I can’t . . .” “I’m afraid . . .” “I don’t know . . .” Then the more you write, you might find yourself recording disappointments or past hurts and thus, it may not seem like a constructive activity at first.
But, if you stick with it and write at least a little every day, you will find your words turning to positive goals and discovering hidden dreams.
Writing has the power to stretch our thinking beyond the immediate, the obvious, and the mundane.