All right so, first off, I just have to share this picture I snapped of all the goodies included in the PURPOSE Beloved Bundle because I’ve just been talking about this ethereal THING for goodness knows how long and y’all have had no reference.
Well. Behold the reference:
Get yours by clicking the image above or checking out this link.
*that picture is so anne-of-green-gables-y IT MAKES MY HEART HAPPy*
Okay, onward and upward.
FOR THE “NONCREATIVE”
I know some of you cringe at the word “creative.” *screams and runs off into horizon* I have a lot of friends that claim they don’t have an artistic bone in their body, and they’re very proud of it (and I can totally understand that)!
Others wish they were good at something like drawing, painting, or paper macheing lamp shades but simply believe they don’t have the capacity.
But today I want to point out that everyone is creative. That’s because our God is the king of creativity and He made us in His image.
“Noncreatives” think of wet paintbrushes, berets, and artist easels when they hear the word “creativity.” Words like spastic and harebrained, daydreamers, or nonrealists come to mind about their more artistically inclined brothers and sisters.
(I’m not denying the semi-, half-, or full-truth of the above statement)
But, honestly, creativity doesn’t have to do with a certain medium.
It’s embedded in who you are. When you get to the end of a math problem, find it’s wrong, and then brainstorm about how to fix it, you’re exercising creativity. *math majors scream into backpack*
When you buy shelves off of Amazon and organize your bedroom, that’s creativity.
When you want to get your arms summer-ready and you create a workout program for yourself with milestones and rewards, that’s creativity.
All that to say, embrace your creativity! It’s fine if you don’t want to necessarily identify as a creative; you may not be purchasing a smock anytime soon (although they’re super cheap on Amazon). But our God, the sustainer of our life and giver of innumerable blessings, is creative and has placed that creativity in us to solve problems through innovation and critical thinking.
You need creativity and creativity needs you! It’s not a bad word. Promise.
FOR THE CREATIVE
In my life as a creator, there are a lot of really encouraging people. But, of course, there are always going to be the people that just don’t understand our need to think outside the box. They reel at different ideas, see
things in only one or two colors, and label us ditzy. My soccer coach once told me that, the reason we forget these things, is because there’s just too many ideas swirling around in our brains so something has to go and—unfortunately—sometimes that’s really important things.
There have always been the people who don’t understand. How many classical composers have we heard about whose parents wanted them to be doctors or lawyers instead?
But, God’s given us an extra dose of creativity for a reason. The world needs logic, yes. But the world needs a bit of color, too. If you combine those down-to-earth people with those whose visions rest in the clouds, you come up with amazing innovations.
So, if you’re a creator, don’t ever let people shove you down. God doesn’t give us talents for no reason. He’s going to do something great with you through it so, right now, it’s your job to believe in His purpose for you and hone your skills.
Try taking on skills you don’t even think you’re good at; you may surprise yourself (and others!). Dare to think outside of the box. Learn all about the inner workings and components of the creative heart: how we can empathize with the feelings of others, entertain different ideas, make something seemingly boring have a powerful message.
The list goes on and on. Are you excited yet? Because I am!
Live in your creativity, whether you call yourself a creator or not. It’s not because you deserve the praise. It’s because, when we’re creating, we’re exercising the tools that God has given us. Through that, God gets the glory.
So, grab the nearest smock and let’s get creative.
A little bit more about this post: Every venture needs a direction. I’ve been brainstorming about Oh Beloved One’s “direction” and, while I don’t totally have it fleshed out yet, I’ve realized that we are here for the creators. Our magazine is made up of stories, illustrations, and photos, which are all manifestations of creativity by creators. Even the design of the magazine is intentionally designed to excite the creative heart. Sometimes the word “creator” can scare people though, and I don’t want the magazine to be just for people who think they’re good with a pen or camera. Through this post, I hope to inspire the artist in everyone. The magazine is an outlet for Christian creatives to use their gifts to bring glory to God, and hopefully every time a reader picks up one of our issues, that goal is super clear to them.
