“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good.” (Gen. 1:1-4)
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” (Jn. 1:1-5)
In the beginning, God spoke the worlds into existence. He initiated creativity upon that which was without form. He brought order out of chaos, light out of darkness, beauty in place of ugliness, purpose in the place of disarray.
Of all examples one could give to lay out a foundation about the subject of creativity, the example the Bible gives us is the most obvious. Yet, it seems to elude most people’s consideration. All throughout the Bible are examples of the miraculous, things that defy the normal. And what better description of being an artist is there? We desire to help the students in our music school in Odessa, Texas experience this higher form of creativity.
Creativity requires doing something new, something fresh that hasn’t been there before. Some people will throw around this verse, “That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So, there is nothing new under the sun.” (Eccl. 1:9)
All creativity that mortal man can be involved in uses the raw materials that God has made, which already exists. However, each moment in time has the opportunity to exist in its own creative uniqueness. Things we use for our own creativity may have existed long before us, but in the moment of time we exist, we can bring forth something uniquely new. No two thumbprints are alike, although there are many thumbs! Each student in our music school in Odessa, Texas has been given a unique creative gift that deserves to be fostered and encouraged.
“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in our own image, according to Our likeness…and God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him.” (Gen. 1:26,27)
God is many things, and the first thing mentioned in Genesis is that He is a creator.
“In the beginning God created…” (Gen. 1:1)
He made man in His image and likeness, therefore one of the highest (if not the highest purposes) of man is to create, to bring forth that which is new.
Indeed, we have been created to create.
God told Abraham that he would be blessed for the purpose of being a blessing to others.
“And I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing…in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Gen. 12:2,3)
In a similar manner, each person that comes into being on the surface of the earth, having been made in God’s image, has value in God’s eyes. Each one has been created in His image. Each student in our music school in Odessa, Texas has the unique ability to bring forth creativity, and just as Abraham was blessed to be a blessing, every living soul has been created to create, in order to make a difference in the world in which we live.
Obviously, not all creativity is helpful.
“Woe to those who scheme iniquity, who work out evil on their beds! When morning comes, they do it, for it is in the power of their hands.” (Micah 2:1)
Whether we choose to use our creativity to bless or to harm is a choice each person makes, but the fact that we have been given the power to do it remains unquestioned.
One of the best ways of getting to know someone is to observe and study their creativity. It provides a window into their soul of who they are and how they see the world. We encourage students in our music school in Odessa, Texas to be observant and inquisitive. When we look at and study what God has made, His creation, we gain insight into how He thinks, Who He is.
“Great are the works of the Lord; they are studied by all who delight in them.” (Ps. 111:2)
“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their utterances to the end of the world.” (Ps. 19:1-3)
Imitation, they say, is the sincerest form of flattery. As we create, not only do we learn more about ourselves, but we also learn more about God Himself.
Creativity and faith are uniquely intertwined. Creativity is at the core of our existence, our purpose and very nature, and when we are involved in it, we tap into something deeper than common human existence. What is common are the daily needs we all face: sustenance of food, clothing, shelter. Fight or flight. Protecting our homes, families, and resources from damage, theft, and loss.
Yet creativity exists on a higher level. These are principles we desire to impart to students in our music school in Odessa, Texas.
“I have food to eat that you do not know about…My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work.” (Jn. 4:33)
“The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” (Matt. 8:20)
Creativity, which is our God-given nature, functions on a higher level than our natural animalistic survival.
Why do we create? In a strictly natural sense, it defies explanation. What is the use of a new song, a new painting, a new symphony? Why do we need it? What benefit is it to our community? Why spend hundreds of hours to conceptualize, refine and carve out an avenue of presentation for a creative endeavor? It takes much work to bring forth successful creativity in the students’ endeavors in our music school in Odessa, Texas.
Most pragmatists would say it’s idiocy. Indeed, artists are mocked every day by our culture as being weird, flakey, overly sensitive, generally useless for any good to society. Of course, the modern-day pop-star enjoys great admiration, most usually for creativity that appeals to the more base hungers of man’s nature.
What I am referring to is creativity that speaks to the divine nature, the God-like nature we have been endowed with, one which comes from and points back to Him Who originally gave it.
This kind of creativity is prophetic, speaking forth in creative ways, similar to God Himself, bringing forth light, order, beauty and purpose.
It’s what we were meant for.
This is what students in our music school in Odessa, Texas were meant to achieve.