Creation for me, is a word that stirs up images of vast plains and oceans, of scenic mountain views and of skies overflowing with stars. I am of course, thinking of God’s creation. But to be able to create is a gift that God gave us also. A gift that I don’t believe we fully appreciate today. Let me explain…
As I have remarked up before, the society we live in is bent on consuming. If we need something, we go and buy it. If we want something we go and buy it. Sometimes we even buy things we neither need nor want. And amongst this consuming, the joy of creating is often lost on us.
Before we go any further let me explain what I mean by creating. My favourite definition of the word ‘create’ comes from the Collins Paperback dictionary and is simply: to be the cause of. I like this because it carries no connotations that creating must be physical.
Creating is causing. This could be something as physical as making a wooden table, or it could be as spiritual as causing another person to smile. A pilot could be a creator by making an opportunity for passengers to travel across the world, just as much as a composer can be a creator by composing beautiful music.
Where consuming is often a mindless task that can bring us a sense of “happiness” or “satisfaction” only for a short time, creating requires our full concentration and a lot of effort, but can give us long-lasting joy and satisfaction.
Using the gift of creating can also free us from consumerism. We can begin to appreciate the creations of others, and understand the effort that went into each created thing. Our creations can be practical, like making our own clothes and saving us money, or make the world a happier place for those around us by bringing joy into their lives. A simple smile can create an opportunity for joy!
I challenge you to create something today!
Peace and Joy!
