I am in Big Spring, Texas in west Texas. I've had a great time with the folks at Life Church with Pastors Clint and Cami Collins. I'll be blogging this coming week about my time here.
We’ve been discussing creativity these past few weeks and in that context I’ve been thinking about Jesus. Jesus was a creative man. If we attribute Jesus' creativity to His divinity, we can't gain much help or understanding that will assist us in our own creative search. If we see, however, that Jesus was a creative man then there may be things in His life to help us be more creative. You probably know what I think about this issue, but to make sure you do, you had better read on.
A TEACHING CARPENTER
We know that He was a carpenter, so He made things from wood with His hands. One second-century bishop reported that wooden yokes that Jesus made in the first century were still being used 100 years later! That tells us that Jesus wasn’t only creative, He was committed to excellence—He did good work.
There’s also a good chance that Jesus, as the oldest son, ran a carpentry business that supported more than just Himself. His brothers could have been in business with Him and that meant He also expressed His creativity by running a business, making payroll and managing inventory, accounts and customer service. He also would have supported His widowed mother from the business as well.
But Jesus’ creativity didn’t stop there. At the age of 30, He changed careers, starting an itinerate ministry through which He continued to express tremendous creativity. He was creative in building and equipping an effective team of men and women who traveled with Him.
When Jesus performed miracles, He did so with flair and distinction. One time He spit on the ground, made mud and smeared it on a blind man’s eyes. Another time, Jesus put His fingers into a deaf man’s ears and touched the end of the man’s tongue with His spit. Jesus answered His critics with creative retorts that delighted the crowds. His insight into Scripture held people’s attention for days on end and He impressed the crowd with His fresh approach to God and the Word.
Perhaps Jesus’ greatest creative expression, however, was in His teaching. When He taught, He used parables—stories from everyday life that imparted truth. Where did He get those stories? He made up those stories. They came from His creativity, perhaps the same creativity that He learned and perfected as a carpenter. Jesus used parables with lessons drawn from agriculture, business, current events, family life, and gardening. He was such a creative teacher that the people would walk for days to listen to Him for days. Mark reported: “The large crowd listened to him with delight” (Mark 12:37).
THE IMPLICATIONS FOR US
Why is this important? First of all, I don’t think that Jesus’ creativity came from His divinity only. He was and is the Creator God and creative Man. On earth He expressed His creativity as a Jewish man who observed life and saw God in all of it. Secondly, if Jesus the man was creative, then He can help you be creative. And finally, you will fulfill your purpose as you carry on the creative tradition that was expressed by the Son of God and continued in the power of the Holy Spirit. We are not here to maintain; we are here to creatively advance the kingdom of God. One might argue that our creativity is how we will fulfill the mandate given to Adam to subdue the earth and rule over it.
This week, I have an assignment for you. Take some time to read Proverbs 8. Do you see wisdom speaking there? That “wisdom” certainly sounds a lot like Jesus to me. Pray through this Proverb and then ask the Lord for creative wisdom. Ask Him to help you use the ordinary lessons of daily life, just like Jesus did, to create something extraordinary. Don’t see your creativity as an exception or something that you use from time to time. See it as a powerful source of daily inspiration that will help you fulfill your purpose and do great things. As you do, I know your life will be changed as mine has been these last few years. Have a great week!
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INTERNET RADIO SPONSOR: I am soon launching a radio program with an internet radio network. People will have access to this show all over the world, so if your service, product, ministry or message needs an international audience, write me and let's talk. Maybe you would simply like to be part of this program that will broadcast the purpose message all over the world. This has been on my mind for quite a while and now is the time to do it. I identified one sponsor this past week but need a few more before I can proceed. If you would be interested in being a sponsor for this show, let me know.
A BETTER ZIMBABWE: I try to write once a week on the new site that is devoted to only reporting the good news of what Zimbabwe has been, is and will be again. If you would like to write a comment or post an entry, go to the site or drop me an email.
THE PACIFIC INSTITUTE IN DALLAS: Many of you are familiar with the impact the training from The Pacific Institute (TPI) has had in my life the last few years. I am happy to announce that two of my friends are now offering TPI in the Dallas area in March and April. You don't have to go to Seattle to obtain this world-class training thanks to their efforts. If you would like information or to register, you can find the information on their website. If you have any questions about the training or what it did for me, don't hesitate to write me. If you register, write to let me know! I give this training the highest recommendation possible and urge you to consider investing in yourself by attending. I have three people who have already said that they are going to register. Why not join them and spend a few days that will change your life.
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Great stuff on creativity and the stewardship of running a business via Christ's model!
Posted by: ralph | February 19, 2008 at 04:39 PM