Where did that idea come from... and where will it go?
You know
what it’s like—a thought takes hold. Sometimes an idea pops into your mind,
other times it takes shape slowly, and sometimes it branches off something you
heard or read. Some are viable, some are crazy, some are impossible. And sometimes
it’s hard to determine if it’s a good idea or a God idea.
Each one of
us is made in the image of God. We’ve been made in His likeness, created to
rule. We know this from Genesis 1:26 when God said,
"Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let
them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the
livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the
ground."
We were not
created like the earth which, once set in motion, still rotates on its axis and
orbits the sun. We were not created like vegetation that replenishes itself
without care, or like the sun, moon and stars that thoughtlessly light our
world. We were not even created like the animals, that reproduce and survive by
instinct. We were created like God—image reflectors of the Father, Son and Holy
Spirit—to feel, act and create like Him.
We know from
John 1:3, that all things were made through God and nothing was made
without Him. To me, this speaks of all that has been created from the beginning
and of every creative endeavor
since then.
A clear example of this was in the
building of the tabernacle. Exodus 35 tells of those who were filled “with the
Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts—to make
artistic designs.” We read that God “filled them with skill to do all kinds of
work as craftsmen.”
This is why we’re here today—we are filled
with God’s Spirit, with skill, ability and knowledge to fulfill His calling to
create with words.
John Piper wrote,If you are God, your work is to create out of nothing. If you are not God, but like God—that is, if you are human—your work is to take what God has made and shape it and use it to make him look great. (Don't Waste Your Life, p.139)
My hope for today is that each of us will find fresh
ways to make God look great. That we will be inspired to consider different
genres, explore new venues, respond to creative urges, develop dormant dreams,
and be receptive to new ideas.
And in our heart of hearts, we want to get our ideas out there. We're not content to let them be ours alone, but want to share them. We
want to impact our world.
So... what do you do with your ideas?
Please, don't dismiss them! Think outside your box. Capture your ideas—make a list. Over time you’ll dismiss many, but there may be one—or a few—that will develop
wings and take flight. Your idea may grow into a beautiful endeavor that
reflects the heart of our Creator.
Image credit: abcoach.es
