In the Beginning

I’ve read this verse more times than I can count, and there’s something about it that I didn’t truly realize until I was a junior in high school at a CIY Move event. At every CIY Move event, during the week they have electives/classes that are led by different speakers and on-stage people. At this particular CIY event, one of the electives was being led by two members of the worship team, and one of the things that they were talking about was creativity. They brought up this verse, and I’ll never forget that they said the very first thing that God did was create. I’d never thought of it in such a way, and we often get so caught in the weeds of how God created everything that we don’t take time to appreciate the act of creation itself.

I like to think of myself as a creative person. Often, I’ll write stories or play cooperative storytelling games, or I’ll draw things. I like to think that this is creative, but there are a number of things that I can’t do. There are areas where my abilities hinder my creativity. God’s creativity, however, is limitless. Consider the layout and structure of our universe. The puzzle pieces of our universe fit together so perfectly in a way that we can’t comprehend it all, and that was all boiled down into one sentence. But even more simply, have you ever tried to invent a new animal? It’s not easy! Stop for a moment. Right now, try to come up with a new color. Can you do it? If you did, I’d love to hear about it! But the fact of the matter is that our creativity is limited to our mortal bodies and minds.

The creativity of God has brought forth everything that you can see. Everything that you can experience around you, the natural world, the people with whom you interact, even yourself: these are all a product of God’s creativity. You have the ability to create, in a similar way that God creates. You are created in God’s image, and I believe a big part of that is the ability to reflect God and to be creative as God is. You have gifts and abilities that you can use to express your creativity and reflect God’s image in your life.

God, you are so creative and powerful. I am in awe of the world that you’ve created, and I thank you for allowing me to experience it. God help me to be creative as you are, help me to create just as you do. God, I thank you for everything that you’ve done for me and everything that you’ve given to me. I ask that you help me grow closer to you every day, and that you would bless our church. Amen.