Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men… Colossians 3:23 (ESV)

There is no feeling, no rush, like the joy of being caught up in a creative moment.  When the pistons are firing and the creative juices are flowing, the right mix of inspiration and perspiration working together to come up with something unique and beautiful and purposeful and useful..

Creativity is (I believe) part of that spark of life God blew into man when He formed us from the dust of the ground and breathed life into our nostrils.  We are made in His image and God is the Ultimate Creative Being.  And each of us has received God given talents to use to His great glory and purpose.

Consider Bezalel:

1 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, 4 to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, 5 in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. 6 And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you: 7  the tent of meeting, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furnishings of the tent, 8  the table and its utensils, and the pure lampstand with all its utensils, and the altar of incense, 9 and the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin and its stand, 10 and the finely worked garments, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, for their service as priests, 11 and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense for the Holy Place. According to all that I have commanded you, they shall do.” – Exodus 31:1-11 (ESV)

I cannot imagine the utter, fearsome joy of being consecrated as God’s official artist.  What an honor!  Bezalel must have made Michelangelo look like a chump.  But he must have been very humble as well; I’m not so sure God would impart such holy work to one who is full of himself.

Notice the last half of verse 6 (in King James): in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee (Exodus 31:6, KJV).  It is God Who gives people the gifts to create, to work, to bless.  Whether you work in oils or inks, the written word, or music of all sorts, God has enabled you.  If your gift is less artistic and more artisan, creating furniture or motors or what have you, it is God Who has gifted you.  No matter what your hand finds to do, no matter what the gift you are blessed with, it is God Who has supplied the skills.

When we choose to employ our God given abilities – no matter what those abilities may be – to the glory of The One Who gave us those gifts, then we are being faithful.  And God works through our efforts to bless others (and we, in turn, are both the source and recipient of God’s grace).

However, when we choose to ignore the gifts we are given, we miss out on those blessings.  In fact, we take a turn in the wrong direction, for we are being disobedient.

Bezalel was gifted by God to do His will and His work.  We each are gifted as well.  Each unique and uniquely blessed.  Each with a part to play, a role to fill in the body of Christ.  Your gift may be a profession or it may be a hobby.  Either way, seek the Lord in your giftedness.  He has created each of us to serve, according to His design.