Created to Create
by Rev. Dr. Amy Chilton on 01/25/24
Perhaps you are like me and have way more projects started than you will ever finish in a reasonable amount of time. Whether it is house remodeling, paper sorting, writing, crafting, etc, a project always feels more manageable at the supply store than it does at home (or when you are planning it to avoid another project)! Ask any knitter, and most will tell you that they regularly purchase yarn for the next project (or ten) before they are done with the first - and often end up with a pile of unfinished projects and a huge yarn stash. I myself just took a rug hooking class at the Mill at Shady Lea even though I have untold knitting and sewing projects, a loom I keep putting off dressing for the next weaving project, and a garden that is going to wake up in a few months.
I want to embrace the drive to creative that lies under the stockpiling of various kinds of building and creating projects. I am convinced that we were created as co-creators, and embedded deep in our person is the “dna” to create. We are created in the image of the great Creator who painted the earth and skies with all the colors. The Psalmist said it for us in Psalm 19:1, “The heavens herald your glory, O God, and the skies display your handiwork.”
In Exodus, when Moses was giving the directions for the building of the tabernacle (the tent precursor to the Temple), a man by the name of Bezalel was appointed by God and “filled with the Spirit of God [he was] given skills and knowledge of every craft” (Exodus 35: 30-31) - including embroidery work and weaving! Moses went on to record that Bezalel and his helper Oholiab taught others handicrafts so they too could contribute to the creation of this portable worship space: “every woman and man whom YHWH has blessed with skill and understanding” (35:36).
Again in Psalm 8, David reflects on God’s creative works and the role God has given humanity to be responsible for creation. Compared to the beauty of God’s work, who are we in comparison? He asks. And yet. And yet, God has created us to care for this creation. We are created in the image of God for this purpose. And being created in the image of the Creator might just explain the desires we have to grow gardens, build things, and create beauty through art.
So, the next time you start to create something, look at your hands and remind yourself that those hands were created to create. When you feel the urges in your soul to create, let yourself revel for a moment in the truth that this is a sign of the Divine image in you.
How great are your works, Oh God, and how marvelous that we get to join in your work through our own!
Blessings,
Pastor Amy
PS - Want to join us in a shared creating space? Our knitters gather every Tuesday at 1 p.m. in our Parlor. Or, try our new 1st Saturday art and craft space at 10 a.m. in the Hope Circle Room. Or, watch for opportunities to volunteer with the CCAP garden!
