“I’m just not a creative person.” People say it all the time. Possibly as an excuse or maybe as a comfort for their own self-doubt.
The truth remains, however, that we were created by a creative God. “God created mankind in his own image” (Genesis 1:27). Thus, you are creative. And God will “bless all the work of your hands” (Deuteronomy 28:12). Therefore, your innovation lies in your hands.
This will look different and be unique for each person on this planet. Being inventive isn’t one size fits all. It’s broad and expanding and flowing and beautiful. And it’s found in our daily grind and in our words, in our hearts, and in our minds.
Being inventive isn’t one size fits all. It’s broad and expanding and flowing and beautiful.
If you feel behind or in a funk with how to develop this God-given inspiration, here are five ways to unlock and grow your own personal ingenuity. Whether you want to simply change your perspective, come up with innovative solutions to everyday problems, or dive deeper into a specific art form, try implementing one or more of these steps.
5 Ways to Nurture Your Creative Capacity
- Seek wisdom. Gain inspiration from valuable and trusted sources as well as by forming collaborations to learn and glean from others.
- Unplug. Take a break from our digital world and do nothing. Pursue something new or fun and let your mind wander.
- Take risks. Get outside your comfort zone and discover the growth you are capable of and what uniqueness truly lies within you.
- Set the right mood. Position yourself in a space for creative outlets to flow freely. Make a music playlist, light some candles, or run a diffuser.
- Pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to unlock the beauty of the gifts he has graciously given you. Trust him to develop that seed of expression in you and through you for God’s glory.
At the end of the day, you won’t be able to develop your creative talents if you don’t make time for them. We make time for the things that are important to us in life. Make this a priority and schedule some time each week to concentrate on some type of innovative project.
Do it for you.
For your family.
For your community.
For your church.
For the world.
For God.
You never know what he can do through you. Let the Potter mold and shape a masterpiece with his clay.
Meghan Yancy is a homeschooling mama of six living on their family ranch in Dayton, Minnesota. @meghanjoytoday.
Scripture quotations are from the New International Version of the Bible.