I Used to Believe I Wasn’t Creative

I used to believe I wasn’t creative. I worked with a bunch of artists: musicians; videographers; painters, but in these creative meetings I felt like I offered nothing. I felt as though I had no insightful or inspired content to contribute to these brilliant minds.

A New Way to think about Creativity

I remember having an honest conversation with a mentor & fellow worship leader that I admired. I explained that I felt like I was faking it in the creative world. I wanted to think I understood the artistry, but I couldn’t imagine ever making something original and actually calling myself a creative. (Well, when I ripped my first pair of black jeans, I thought I might have made it.) She explained to me the creativity behind my current position. I was planning church services at the time and she shared that organization is a visionary effort and that it takes a unique, creative thinking process to construct order. This thought was revolutionary in my perceptions of creativity.

Untitled Thoughts on the Creative Process also challenged my preceding thoughts on creativity. Blaine Hogan, the author, asks in spirit of self-reflection, “Am I willing to work as hard on making the idea a reality as I am on developing the passion-filled, sexy-as-all-get-out vision?” (16). Maybe you’re not the one birthing the innovative concept, but you can work to bring it into reality. That makes you just as (or more) valuable in that creative process.

When we know we are born with leanings in creativity far beyond just an ability to draw or devise beautiful riffs, our teams can have a new freedom to use their unique talents where they thrive in the creative process.

Making Art

Two things I’ve learned when actually making art is to pray & have confidence. God’s very nature is one characterized by creativity. He formed the vast skies and sea, yet gave order to intricate things like cell processes. Ask the maker of all things to give you divine, inspired ideas. Find joy in the specific way he wired you to create.

On a similar note, confidence in who God created you to be is another way to be successful in the creative world. I was in a song writing session a few nights ago. There was an unspoken sense of trust with my team, so I felt confident to bring ideas to the table. Yes, a majority of them were just plain, bad suggestions. On the other hand, if I had not spoken or mustered confidence to be exposed, good ideas would have been less likely to emerge. It took a lot of futile thoughts in order to land and run with the chords patterns and lyrics that worked. In the creative world, you’re going to have to ditch your pride and for the greater masterpiece.

So, how do you express your creativity? Maybe you’re like me. You reflect God’s creativity in the way he fit things to work together, creating order. Hey, every creative team needs that ‘Type A’ personality to reign in those flying ideas, right? I am wrestling in the process of becoming more confident to share the fresh words, songs, and other ideas God has placed on my heart. I strongly believe we all have the ability to design and cultivate. It’s about imitating the creative characteristic of God and gaining confidence to share your art. You have something to share with the world. Start displaying it.