Creative Faith: Nurturing Your Spirit
There are seasons in life that feel loud, schedules are packed, emotions run high, and everything feels hurried. In those moments our spirits crave something slower and a bit softer.
I was living in the chaos, when I felt strongly that I needed to remove Social Media from my phone. I was starting to ask God, “Why can’t I hear you anymore?” and as I reflected on that question I felt him say “How can you hear me, when you are always listening to something else.”
Oof. It was true. There was constant input, we would go from one thing to the next, and in every moment that wasn’t already filled the habit was there. I would pull out my phone and scroll. Even if I only had three extra minutes to spare, it was the perfect chance to hear what the world was doing.
God was calling me to come sit with Him and notice the beauty He has placed around me.
Creativity has become one of the most life-giving ways I slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with God. The best part is that this never feels like an extra task on my to-do list, but as a simple doorway into His Presence.
Today I want to share how creative faith can nurture your spirit, and how simple it can be to make it a part of your every day.
Why Creativity Matters for Your Spiritual Life
Before we ever created anything, God created everything. While God’s creativity is abundant and everywhere we look, I feel most amazed and astounded by His creation of Space. The beauty we crave and respond to, all began with Him. When we create, in any form, we reflect His heart.
You don’t have to be an excellent painter, or designer, or crafter to live a creative life. It isn’t about a project at all, and it isn’t at all about how it is executed. Embracing creativity is showing up with the willingness to slow down, pay attention, and engage our hands and hearts at the same time.
In a world that pulls us into constant noise, creativity brings us back to the center. Back to God. Back to Ourselves.
Three Ways Creativity Deepens Your Faith
1. Creativity Helps You Pay Attention
There is something about pausing to notice the painting in the sky, or the way your child laughs (that you wish you could just bottle up forever), or noticing the steam rising from your cup a tea. Something seems to shift from overwhelm to gratitude.
In it’s nature, creativity teaches us to be present. And in presence, we often feel God the most.
2. Creativity Makes Space for Prayer
I have found that when I put my hands to something, my mind settles. It becomes easier to focus on praying, and my heart is in a posture to receive. And in some moments its a time of reflecting on who God is and resting in Him and being grateful that He meets us right where we are in that moment.
3. Creativity Helps You Process Emotions with God
Our lives on earth will be filled with a range of experiences that allow us to feel all of the emotions. So whether you are experiencing great joy, or extreme grief, or anything in between, God designed us to experience these feelings as opportunities to draw near to Him.
Creativity and emotion have always been intertwined with faith. David didn’t hide his heart. He poured it out. In whatever way we express what is stirring inside becomes a place to bring worries, grief, joy, and hope before God.
Creative Faith Practices
I am telling you, that this really doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Find something meaningful to put your hands to this week and open your heart and mind for God to speak to you in those moments.
I really enjoy studying The Word in my journaling bible with highlighters and pens. After finishing a book, I like to get creative in summarizing the chapter. I have also found that it is so easy to pick up where you left off in your studying when you leave your bible open in a spot you naturally sit. It is harder to ignore when it is right there in front of you.
One way I have incorporated intentionally focusing and reflecting on a verse each day, I started filling a blank wall calendar with a verse from my reading that day. This helps me focus on the key verse,
One thing that I am excited to start is a prayer bible. My Journaling bible gets filled with notes that give me context and understanding and rarely has anything personal. It is a very used and loved tool for studying. Something I would really like to get better at, is praying scripture. It dawned on me that I can use and love two bibles at once, so while one remains a study tool, the other will become a place of prayer and worship. Where the pages can be full of add-ins, and photos of friends and family I am praying scripture over.
Whether you join me in any of these practices, or find your own ways to create rhythms, make space for creative faith in a busy life. You can fit it into your day with something already in your routine. Be sure to let go of perfection and just feel refreshed and enjoy.
Be Blessed
May you find God in the ordinary moments this week. May creativity soften your heart, steady your thoughts, and open your eyes to presence. I pray your spirit feels nurtured as you slow down and create, even in the simplest ways. You are invited! And you are deeply loved by the One who created YOU to create.
