Devotions

Rev Gav

Song

Psalms 98

Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvellous things.

His own right hand and his holy arm
have won for him the victory.

The Lord has made known his salvation;
his deliverance has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.

He has remembered his mercy and faithfulness
towards the house of Israel,
and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Sound praises to the Lord, all the earth;
break into singing and make music.

Make music to the Lord with the lyre,
with the lyre and the voice of melody.

With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sound praises before the Lord, the King.

Let the sea thunder and all that fills it,
the world and all that dwell upon it.

Let the rivers clap their hands
and let the hills ring out together before the Lord,
for he comes to judge the earth.

In righteousness shall he judge the world
and the peoples with equity.

Reflect

What is your song?

Each of us is made in the image of a creative God and to be human is to be creative. I wonder if our creativity is what separates us from the other animals and is the definition of being God’s image-bearers. From the moment we wake up each day we cannot help but be creative, from the decisions we make about what we eat, what we wear, and how we do our hair (if we have any… cough).

In the same way that God’s creativity began by bringing order out of the chaos of creation, our creativity is when we take raw elements and bring order out of them. We tend to think of creativity as being ‘creative arts’ such as dance, music, and art, but creativity is so much more. Some of us are creative with numbers, others creative with language, some with building, others with gardening, some with people at home or in care homes. When you clean out your friend’s kitchen cupboards, you are being creative. When you listen to someone and make them feel loved, you are being creative. When you post a photo or message on social media, you are being creative. When you can put things in order on a database, spreadsheet, or filing cabinet, you are being creative.

There are as many ways of being creative as there are people, and it is our own unique combination of creativities that makes us different from everyone else. No-one is creative in every area of life and we should never compare ourselves or feel jealous of other peoples’ creativity. You are wonderfully you and there is no-one on the planet who has your unique set of gifts, abilities, skills, passions, hopes, and opportunities. No-one has your unique set of social circumstances and network of people with whom you interact. Your life is special and precious to God and to the world.

Therefore, the question is not, “Are you creative?” but “How will you use your God-given creativity to bless the world?” What is your song? Whatever it is, go and sing it with all your heart, mind, strength, and soul.

Pray

Holy God
Thank you that
I am made in your image.
Thank you for my
God-given creativity.
May I use my time,
skills, talents, and
opportunities to
bless the world
and love those
around me.
This day and forever.