Soul Speak
You and I are innately designed to create. All of the beauty that surrounds us, but that we often take for granted was made by the God of the universe who also must create because it is His very nature to do so. And because we are His very image, it is also our nature to create. I have always had a personal theory that the people who are the most frustrated with their lives are so because they are not creating. Creativity comes in a million different packages and when the creative gifts we have been given remain unopened we can be nothing but frustrated and miserable because we are living in opposition to our very nature.
For years I shelved my own gift because I let myself believe there was no room for it in my life. Part of me felt dead and I found myself resenting what I had to do because I let it crowd out what I desired to do. A friend of mine a few years back challenged me to make room in my life for my writing and then guard it. She said that if I would set aside even a small amount of time to begin with, it would make all the difference. And so it has. And I have found myself again. Sue Monk Kidd says that creativity is "a conversation between my soul and me." The heartache comes when you and your soul are not on speaking terms. Have you heard from your soul lately? It is speaking to you if you will make time to listen. And if you are not intentional about it, it will never happen. Go ahead. Get reacquainted. It could very well change the course of your life.
10 comments:
I LOVE this post! You're an amazing writer and expressed that so beautifully.
I completely agree. If our God and Father is a CREATOR, and we're created in HIS image, then it only stands to reason that He has endowed us, His children, with the ability to be creative.
So many people confuse creativity with art, painting or music. Obviously those are creative mediums but I think everyone has creative ability hidden away inside them. We may not all be artists, writers or musicians but we can all create life, culture and beauty every day.
Excellent post!
An excellent post. I'm struggling a bit here lately. The tension between what is and what could be if I actually devoted myself to it. There is always the question of timing then too, I suppose. At any rate, I'm so happy to know you are practicing your God-given gift. It makes me smile.
I really enjoyed this post. You know, Beth you have been one of the most recent influences for me to write. I have honestly felt this direction from the Lord for quite a while. I wish I could express to you how much I enjoy it! I need not forget that God gave me creative talents, and for what purpose? Ah yes, to Glorify Him. He is so clever!
I guess you could count me in the "frustrated" category. I have all of this passion and possibility within me...I have had a glimpse, a taste of being able to use/create with those gifts (that did not last long enough, in my book)...and now there is no outlet that I know of. = frustration
So, for now, I absorb more. Maybe that's why I am so often in the role of student?
Thanks for being so transparent in your posts. I'm grateful that you have this outlet for your creativity, AND your frustrations.
I am so excited to have found your blog and writings! I love that quote from Sue Monk Kidd. That's exactly WHY I write, sing, etc. Thanks for visiting my blog. Yes, the gender issues in the church have not just frustrated and even hurt me, but they have made me long for heaven because I know this is not God's heart for us. The deeper my relationship with God grows, the more convinced I am that God does not see me as "lesser", but as one created in His image to do Kingdom work for His glory and for the sake of a dying and lost world. I too long to see women (and thus the Kingdom) set free to answer God's calling on their lives. I've found it to be a volatile topic, one that usually degenerates into arguing over homosexuality or submission/authority or something totally off topic, at least in my view. I'd love to chat more and hear how God is leading you to speak out in this area....
found this by way of mandy thompson.
it couldnt have come at a better time, when both my husband and i are rediscovering the true passions and gifts that have been set aside for far too long.
mandy Thompson also pointed me over this way by way of Our Creative Community.
Great post and something very timely for me! I appreciate it!
Russ
I'll join this little queue of people coming here from OurCC and Mandy Thompsons's link. Great post, thank you!
Hi Beth I hopped along too from Our CC and absolutely loved reading your post. It resonates so absolutely with me. Many people are asking how I have the time to sit and blog (my creative writing outlet of the moment) when I have two young children. I have to make the time but then just love the time and know God is integrating me and all I do for the many people dependent on me by the fact that I create and publish.
You are a wonderful writer Beth and I think I'll just have to add you to my blogroll. I can't wait to read more.
Thank you all from the Creative Community...love the site. I will definitely be back there!
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