But I'm Not Creative! (I Don't Think That's for Me, Part 1)

On creativity, art, and being made in God's image

This post is part of “I Don't Think That's for Me,” a series exploring some of the things I hear people say about creativity, prayer, silence, and spiritual direction. Sometimes the assumptions we make about ourselves keep us from experiencing the good gifts God has for us. In this series, I'm taking a closer look at some of those assumptions and offering a different way to think about them. My hope is that you'll find a little more freedom to notice, wonder, play, and make space for God in your life.

“I'm not creative.”

I would argue that everyone is creative because we are made in the image of a creative God! Often, I think what people really mean is that they aren't artistic. (And I might argue further that perhaps you just aren't particularly interested in being artistic, and that's okay, too!)

Here's how I define creativity:

Creativity is our response to God's world through noticing, wondering, exploring, and making.

Think about that for a minute. Do you notice things? Do you wonder about them? Do you explore new ideas, try new things, or find different ways of doing something? Do you make things, whether that's a meal, a garden, a story, or a solution to a problem?

Of course you do! We all do these things because we're human, made in the image of a creative God.

You don't have to be an artist to be creative. You already are!

“I don't like crafts, so I won't like your retreats.”

My retreats are less about the project and more about the prayer that goes along with it. Yes, we'll do an art project or a craft (depending on the retreat), but we're not trying to make something beautiful. We're allowing ourselves to enjoy the process, experiment a little, and take time to notice what God might be saying to us.

The creative activity gives us something to do with our hands while we slow down and pay attention. Sometimes it helps us notice things we might otherwise overlook. Sometimes it brings up frustration or resistance. Sometimes it's simply enjoyable!

And all of that can become part of our conversation with God.

You don't have to love crafts or be good at art to participate. You just have to be willing to show up and see what happens.

“I don't want to make ugly art.”

I get that, because making ugly art feels pointless. But that's kind of the point!

It's a reminder that we don't have to be beautiful, make beautiful things, or accomplish anything impressive in order for God to love us. His delight in us isn't based on our usefulness to him!

But here's the wonderful thing about how God made us: when we give ourselves the freedom to make ugly art, we often end up making beautiful art, too! As we play and experiment and create without worrying about the outcome, we naturally begin to grow in skill. What a generous gift from a creative God!

Of course, making beautiful art isn't the goal. The freedom to create without accomplishing anything is valuable all on its own. But I love that God made us in such a way that even as we simply enjoy the process, we can grow and learn along the way.

(And I might argue, what is beautiful art, anyway? Maybe there's beauty in the process itself!)