Our greatest gift while we live on earth is our creativity. Why? Because we express Spirit through our creativity. In other words, we express the depth of our spirituality that works through us through the creativity that lives within us.
I was well into adulthood before I really understood this concept.
When my kids were in school, I became a foster parent. Working with troubled kids gave me a totally different perspective on life. Most of the teens I
worked with had no direction — nothing they saw as positive in their lives. Because of this, they act out, hurt other people, and ultimately hurt themselves. It dawned on me that these teens saw themselves as useless or helpless or both to affect their lives and the world around them. They had not yet discovered their gift or their method of expressing creativity.
Of course, as a foster parent, I was not allowed to influence their spiritual life. I could not bring God into the discussion, but I could talk to them about their creativity within. I could help them find their purpose in life. What a difference that made.
Fast-forward to my older adult years, and I fully embrace the idea that this creativity is Spirit-given. We are not mindless robots programmed by some higher power to do this or that. We are meant to express our Spirit through various forms of creative gifts we have been given.
Recently, I read a booklet published by Unity Church that shares this same thought.
Unity Booklet: Finding Peace Through Prayer:
The Many Forms of Prayer: Creativity
Creative pursuits are where we most easily express Spirit. Sometimes we call it what we were “born to do,” whether it’s sculpture, painting, performance, dance, writing, filmmaking, music, gardening, cooking, designing software programs, or architecture. Anytime we create something where there was nothing, we are bringing Spirit onto the earth.
My divine gifts express uniquely through me.
Looking back on my life, I see the times I was most creative when I was challenged. During the times I felt useless, I got through them by remembering what my creative gift was and is. Since these gifts have changed over the years, I prefer to think of them as Spirit expressing through me. It gave (and gives) me purpose to express these gifts.
Now, in my early 70s, people have asked me when I plan to retire. The thought seems counterproductive to me. Too many people die after they lose their purpose in life. My creativity is not wrapped around a job, but I am blessed to express Spirit through creativity in my work. Honestly, I don’t know if I will ever retire!