“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him . . .” Genesis 1:27
According to Julia Cameron in her classic book The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Guide to Higher Creativity, if we (mankind) are in fact created in the image of the Creator, then it stands to reason that we too are creators. Having always assumed that certain people possess a natural gift of creativity while others don’t, myself included, that concept had never occurred to me. A great example is my Dad who was exceptionally artistic, a talent none of which I inherited. As proof, the walls in our home are filled with many of his beautiful paintings. I, on the other hand, can’t even draw good stick people, only to reinforce my long-standing belief that some people are creative while others are not.
I had held on to that belief for most of my life, that is until about fifteen years ago when I left the corporate world in search of a new career path. That’s when I hired Lori, an executive coach, to help with my transition. One day she said to me, “Dan, you are a very creative person. But, because of the work you’ve been engaged in your creativity has become suppressed, and I’m trying to reawaken that in you.” I was shocked! The idea of my being creative had never occurred to me. That revelation eventually led me to Julia Cameron’s book and the profound realization that I am created in the image of the Creator, which means I too am a creator. It was a life-changing experience.
This is not only my story, though, it’s yours as well. In fact, it is everyone’s story; for if I am created in the image God, then so are you, and so is every other human on earth. Some, however, like me need to be reminded or made aware that we are all created in the image of the Creator, therefore empowered with an ability to create. How we create may vary – my Dad could paint while I cannot – but we are nonetheless each uniquely creative. What matters is that we use it, use it well, and most importantly that we use it generously for the well-being of others and the purposes for which the Creator intended.
When I find myself discouraged about the mess the world is in – and the world is never not in a mess! – this is what gives me hope, that “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him”, and those who use their creativity for the purposes the Creator intended will eventually come to the fore. Sooner or later they always do.