On Wasted Creativity

The most magnificent gift we have as human beings? The ability to create. From logic to language, from art to architecture, humanity’s sustaining asset is our ability to invent and imagine. Sadly, there has been a deficit of this resource in our current culture. Rigid education combined with inadequate reflection has diluted our creativity. Capitalism’s consistent call has made many create only for material wealth. I believe that creation is not for profit, but it is instinctive, it is the very nature of man.


Biblically, Genesis 2:18-22 (listed below) reveals this:

First, God MADE the earth, including the plants and animals (The sheer variety of plants/animals displays God’s appreciation of creativity). Gen. 2:19

Next, God CREATED man in HIS own image (So if God created us and we are like Him, WE should create). Gen. 1:26-27

Finally, Adam’s first task as a man? - naming all the cattle, beasts, and fowl (Adam was given the freedom of CREATING names for EACH animal). Gen. 2:20


This passage displays the inherent nature of man – to create. Even more perceptively, we see in verse 19 that God brought the creatures to Adam “to see what he would call them”. Wow. God glories in our creativity. Picture God thinking, “I wonder what they will come up with next?, I wonder what they will design?, I wonder what they will discover?” How amazing.


This message is a rallying cry to the inner man/woman. Revive your creativity. Take steps backward into your childhood when you could paint fairy tales in your mind. When the world was not as cynical or concrete. I beckon you brothers and sisters to invent and imagine. If you are an engineer or a sculptor, a janitor or a lyricist, a mother or an athlete, create. Challenge the limitations, push beyond the norms, press into the unknown – God is waiting on you.


Many thanks to the life artists whose creativity has inspired my introspection. To all of the thinkers, non-conformists, and idealists, thank you. Continue to allow your creations to breathe creativity into the world. You make the world great by giving life to life.

Many blessings.


- j.a.g.


Gen. 2:18-22
18And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
19And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
20And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
21And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.