“See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel of the tribe of Judah; and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, for work in every skilled craft.” Exodus 35:30-33 (NIV)
Creative Arts Week is such a blast. So much energy, so many fun times and memories created. I had the honour of declaring the week “open” at assembly on Tuesday morning; I have watched in awe of our students as they have laboured and created all week long. I shared this passage with the students during my short presentation and thought I’d reflect a little here on God’s blessing of our creative endeavours.
We learn here that God gives a wide variety of creative gifts. God gifted Bezalel, he gave him knowledge, skill and ability to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship.
Bezalel wasn’t just given one gift; he was skilled in many mediums, he knew how to cut stones and place them in beautiful settings. He also understood carpentry and how to work with wood. God gave Bezalel a wide variety of gifts. And that was all just one person! Romans 12:6 says,“We all have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” God in his grace gives a wide variety of gifts to all people everywhere.
When we think of creative gifts, we often think of the creative arts – painting, sculpture, writing, music, dance, design, photography, and so on. But it can be more than that. Anytime you put part of yourself into a task or project you are being creative. Anytime you organise or decorate something you are being creative. Anytime you solve a problem you are being creative. Anytime you inject humour into a situation you are being creative. Anytime you apply the knowledge, ability and skill that God has given you to the task at hand, you are being creative.
God gives a wide variety of creative gifts because God’s gifts have a purpose. As we read further in the Exodus narrative, it becomes obvious that God had a specific purpose in mind for them. God had given all the workmen their particular skills in order to build the tabernacle, and not just to build it, but to build it according to God’s exact specifications.
God gives creative gifts for a purpose. Part of that purpose is simply for us to fulfil our role as human beings made in the image of God. The Dutch theologian and former Prime Minister Abraham Kuyper once said: “As image-bearer of God, man possesses the possibility both to create something beautiful and to delight in it. … The world of sounds, the world of forms, the world of tints, and the world of poetic ideas, can have no other source than God; and it is our privilege as bearers of his image, to have a perception of this beautiful world, artistically to reproduce, and humanly to enjoy it.” (Abraham Kuyper; Calvinism, pp. 142,156-157) Ephesians 2:10 says that “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Isn’t that awesome? God has not only prepared specific works for us to do, but he also created us with the specific gifts necessary to do those good works. God’s gifts have a purpose, and God has a purpose for the creative gifts he has given each of us.
Let’s thank God for the creative gifts he has given all of us, especially the students as they work so hard this week. Don’t put down these gifts. Don’t envy the gifts of others. Don’t boast in these gifts. Rather, let’s thank God for the specific gifts he has given, and do so with a spirit of humility and wonder.Let’s keep encouraging one another to use and develop these creative gifts. The “Parable of the Talents” springs to mind. God does not want us to bury our gifts in the ground. If you can produce beautiful things with your hands, produce them! Work hard, and develop the gifts God has given. Finally, let’s engage all of life for God’s glory. Remember, “Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.” (1 Timothy 4:4). No matter where your gifts or interests lie, God can use you to bring him glory in this world.
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