Os Hillman on God’s Gift Of Creativity

The Bible reveals to us that our Creator was just that–a creator. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). When you look at creation–the animals, the plants, the mountains and the seas, it is hard not to believe in a Creator.

Our God is such a creator and designer–just look at the colors He used in bird life, the flowers, and the animals. Recently I was in Hawaii and saw a tree called the Rainbow tree. I do not know why it impacted me so much, but I was impressed with God even more after seeing this tree. How creative! I thought to myself. He loves to create. We are made in his image–to create!

You Were Created to Create

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph 2:10). I believe you were created to solve a problem on the earth. You are wired to be a creative person. Sometimes people say they don’t have a creative bone in their body. Not so, every job requires some level of creativity.

I believe we are entering a season in the Christian church whereby we are going to see greater creativity to solve society’s problems, and there will be more inventions from Christians than ever before. There are some wonderful case studies of Christians to whom God gave marvelous inventions, such as Johannes Gutenberg.

Johannes Gutenberg – the Invention that Changed the World

In 1450 Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press. He credits his inspiration from God. Listen to the excitement he had with the invention he created: “Let us break the seal which seals up holy things and give wings to Truth in order that she may win every soul that comes into the world by her word no longer written at great expense by hands easily palsied, but multiplied like the wind by an untiring machine.” Some questioned his invention, because they had no context for what a printing press would do or the impact it would have on people’s lives.

However, Johannes seemed to be prophetic in his understanding of the impact it would have. “It is a press, certainly, but through it, God will spread His Word; a spring of pure truth shall flow from it; like a new star it shall scatter the darkness of ignorance, and cause a light hithertofore fore unknown to shine among men.” Sixty years later the Protestant Reformation took place and soon after the first Bibles were printed. His invention may go down as THE most important invention that had the greatest impact on the world.

"Through it God will spread His word. A spring of truth shall flow from it: like a new star it shall scatter the darkness of ignorance, and cause a light heretofore unknown to shine amongst men."Johannes Gutenberg, regarding the printing press

When I first began writing TGIF (Today God Is First) devotional I wondered whether I was to charge for it. As I sought God for the answer, He clearly revealed to me that I was not to charge. It would be years later that I would see the wisdom of that and how He created a funding model based on donations.

God reveals to us that He is interested in us creating and prospering the work of our hands. He gives us a covenant promise that we are to create and prosper when we honor Him in the process. “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day” (Duet. 8:18). “I am the Lord your God who teaches you to profit, [note: the word profit here means “to gain, profit, benefit, avail”] who leads you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your well-being would have been like a river. And your righteousness like the waves of the sea” (Isaiah 48:17, 18).

Here is a sampling of how God gave many of his leaders answers to their problems:

1. David. Received plans for the temple.
2. Peter. Was told by Jesus to cast his line on the other side of the boat–he caught 157 fish.
3. Jacob. Received a dream to allow him to fund his family business and leave the employment of Laban.
4. Joseph. Received a dream and the interpretation, which allowed him to become the ruler of Egypt under Pharaoh.
5. Moses. Was told the way to get water for the people was to speak to the rock.
6. Noah. God gave him specific dimensions of the ark to build..
7. Joshua. Was told to walk around the wall at Jericho for seven times to gain victory.

God is looking for partnerships

He wants to give you ideas and inventions. But He also has some boundaries that are required for Him to release that next invention to you. He wants you to seek Him for the ideas and creativity. He wants you to give Him the credit. He wants you to rely completely on Him for all aspects of your work and calling. And He wants you to seek Him with all your heart.

“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6). “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you” (Ps 32:8). “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jer 29:13).

Why don’t we receive?

Sometimes we labor for years before we get breakthroughs in our lives. Sometimes God allows us to continue to seek Him for the breakthrough. I believe God intentionally hides things so that we seek Him for the solutions (Job 34:29). He is building character in the process of seeking Him. Sometimes we have to experience the hard times so we can appreciate the good times. During the journey we are to seek Him with a whole heart. “I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me” (Proverbs 8:17).

Never Forget His Blessings

One of God’s warnings to us is to never forget His blessings in our lives. “They soon forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel, but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tested God in the desert. And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul” (Psalms 106:13-15). The people of Israel forget His goodness and faithfulness.

God releases and entrusts to you in direct proportion to the character you have allowed Him to develop in you. If you have not gained a victory over Satan’s traps of performance, passion, position and possessions before you are elevated or prosperous, you will be an easy prey for Satan and his demons. Many leaders’ integrity is not strong enough to keep them at the top once the prosperity, fame and prestige hit them.

God wants you to learn how to receive from Him in order to become a change agent in workplaces, cities and nations. And to receive your inheritance! The word inheritance is mentioned 237 times in the Bible. Evidently it is important to God, so it should be important to you.

God is waiting on His creation to step into the creativity that He placed inside of each of us. Why not ask him what He wants to create through you?

"The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed."Romans 8:19