Through Stained Glass: Creative Creatures

(I shared these words the other day via a different blog post. I continue to sit with this reflection, especially as I prepare for another afternoon creating with junior high students. Yesterday we asked them what makes their heart sing--or what brings out their inner creative genius. You wouldn't be surprised that music and play are often what inspire the children to create. Each time we spend with these students, I find myself wondering about what I am creating...and I don't mean work-related. I must admit, my outlines for our summer Bible study on Revelation have been pretty impressive, my creativity isn't limited to the church. I hope the words below cause you to pause and consider what creative dream you're giving life to these days!)

Growing up, I didn’t think I was a creative person. Looking back, of course, I see this isn’t true. I had a big and wild imagination. I loved creating games, writing short stories and making them into books, and building Wiffle ball fields wherever I could on my parents’ 8+ acres of land.

Yet, all I ever was told, explicitly or implicitly, was that I was an athlete. Being in the band was lame. Artists were strange. Woodshop kids were the ones you stayed away from when school was out.

Goodness—how embarrassing and hurtful those stereotypes were (and are).

What I realize now is this—I was too afraid to venture out beyond the narrative I chose, which also happened to be the one handed to me. Fear prevented me from scratching that itch to create something off the baseball field. I was too afraid of being judged by my peers and not being as good as those creators I secretly envied. It is no wonder why I identify with the purple fear guy in the movie 'Inside Out'!

It’s taken me 20+ years, but here I am finally acknowledging that I am a creative person. I think Brene Brown says it best when talking about being creative: 

"There is no such thing as creative and non-creative people, only people who use their creativity and people who don't." 

We are all creative beings--after all, aren't we created in the image of the Creator of the Universe? I agree that:

 God is endlessly imaginative and creative. Those who are intensely curious, open, and creative are probably deeply in touch with the One who continues to generate all the “ten thousand things” that surround us. (Richard Rohr)

I read these words today by @questlove, and the truth that all of us are creative people warmed my spirit. Creativity requires time, energy, and believing (even just a little) that we are creatives.

Creative Quest by Questlove

Change. 

Creativity.

Community. 

Imagine if we all started from the place of creative affirmation and not productive judgment? The world would probably be a little more fun and beautiful--a bit more like God hopes it would be!

Friends, I encourage you to create something today. Then, be bold and release it into the world. Don't be afraid--you aren't alone in this creative endeavor. We are all participating with you. That's why it is important that we change our narrative by participating in the larger one rooted in Scripture—that we are co-creators with the Divine and can change the world.