January 16, 2025 From…To Creativity
Thursday, January 16, 2025
From…To: Creativity
I’ve personally chosen Bezalel … I’ve filled him with the Spirit of God,
giving him skill and know-how and expertise in every kind of craft
to create designs and work in gold, silver, and bronze;
And to all who have an aptitude for crafts
I’ve given the skills to make all the things I’ve commanded you: …
Exodus 31:1-6, Message
Our ten-year-old crafting granddaughter can conjure wonders from scraps. I’ve watched her transform discarded materials into stuffed animals, neck warmers, jewelry, birdhouses, and intricate stage sets for plays she imagines. One day, she even fashioned an old pair of jogging pants into an elegant, off-the-shoulder dress fit for a gala. As one of God’s chosen artisans, she doesn’t just see what is or what was—she envisions what could be.
To create means to bring something into existence or spark change. God, the Master Creator, formed everything from nothing to something, then shaped us in His image (Genesis 1-2). By doing so, He endowed each of us with some aptitude for creating. Whether through art, problem-solving, building communities, or nurturing relationships, we are called to create in ways that mirror Him and glorify His name.
God treasures craftsmanship and creativity because they reflect His glory. When we use these gifts rightly, they honor Him. Just as our granddaughter’s artistry reveals hidden potential, God sees endless possibilities within us. Through Jesus’ love and the Holy Spirit’s power, He can transform even the bleakest circumstances or the most difficult personalities into good, weaving His purposes into the fabric of our lives to bring about His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
Reflect: How can you use your creative gifts this new year—whether in art, problem-solving, relationships, or other areas — to reflect God’s image and glorify Him?
Pray: Lord, we praise You as the Master Creator who imagined and formed the heavens, the earth, and each of us with infinite care and purpose. Thank You for the gift of creativity and the privilege of reflecting Your image through the work of our hands and hearts.
Help us to use our creativity not for our own gain but to glorify You and serve others. Continue to remind us of Your boundless imagination and redeeming love. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
By His Grace,
Gloria Ashby
Lay Leader