Made In His (Creative) Image

Melonyq - June 18, 2024

Here’s a summary of what I shared this past Saturday on the breakdown of Genesis 1:1-2:3!

“26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…. 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them”
If God is a creative God then we must also reflect His creative nature because we are made in His likeness
Every human being must embrace creativity as their nature

“2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”
Every creative act begins in a space of the unknown and of uncertainty.
There is something within us that innately draws us toward these potentials.
If you are struggling with what to pursue in your creativity, look for your “formless and empty” , find an “empty canvas” and let it speak to you. I think often for us our canvases look like a problem to solve. How can we bring justice to these people? How can we create sustainable solutions? How can I create a work of art that connects people to the heart of God? Things of that nature. Then ask God the question of “what could be?” and begin to dream with him.

“3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 …and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.”
Start practically. God begins by… beginning. He takes first broadstroke steps by separating the light from the darkness a very practical step that helped creating a context and framework for the rest of His work.
“The only way to learn is by playing, the only way to win is by learning, and the only way to begin is by beginning.” -Gamechanger intro
- The creative process is one of discover and the only way to get to the finish line is by beginning to walk down the path and learning along the way.

4 “God saw that the light was good….”
Here we see God take a first moment of reflection. He observes the light. He judges its quality. And ultimately he finds that it’s good.
Even God takes time to carefully assess the quality of His work so how much more should we?
So as you create, take moments at natural resting points to pause and reflect and to judge and critique. You’ll find that you may be straying off the intended path and need course correction or maybe you are spot on and are good to press forward.

“2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”
God implemented a rhythm of rest from the onset and set standard for us to follow.
Rest rejuvenates us and allows us to re-engage with our work refreshed and renewed. Implementing a sabbath is crucial to keep us from burning out.

Because of the structure and context he has laid out God is able to focus on the smaller details but also to jump between different aspects of His creation.
Creativity is like exercising. There are different “muscle groups” that make up the whole of creativity and if you continue to only utilize one group you will quickly become fatigued.
So within your own realm of creation identify the different “muscle groups” to help you divvy up tasks to help manage your stamina.

“31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.”
In response to God creating humankind He saw that His work was now very good.
There is something so powerful to knowing that God was satisfied in His work after he created us. I believe that this satisfaction comes from knowing that His likeness was finally imparted into his work. The work that he created is now a sufficient representation of himself.
A couple of takeaways:
- One of the markers of a finished work is being able to see the self reflected in it. God saw himself in us and knew his work was finished. So the work we create should also reflect something within us whether an emotion we’ve experienced, a dream we’ve been given, or the answer to a question we’ve been wrestling with.
- I think part of why God was so satisfied with His work was because now that we existed He also had creative partners. Many times in the bible God engages with His people and allows them to enter into a higher level of relationship where they are able to partner with Him in ways that seem unreal. And I think this is one of His greatest joys. To be in deep communion with His people. To pour out His spirit over us. To bring us to our full creative potential. Because when we are at our full creative potential He is most glorified because we best reflect who He is.