<p>The first verb, the first action word in the first verse of Genesis is “created”—“In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth.”</p>
<p>Later, in the same chapter we read that Yahweh/God continues to create and culminates his creation by bringing into being humans. We are told He Creates us in his own image. Think about that. We are the image of a Creator. The conclusion, it seems to me, can only be: Are we not made to create?</p>
<p>I am thinking about this because Pastor Mary recently asked me if I knew of any quotes about creativity. She had pulled some from the Bible and wondered if I had any others that might be relevant for her purposes. I was honored to be asked and eagerly set to work looking for some words that could be useful.</p>
<p>I have been a collector of quotes since my days as a school teacher. I appreciate a good quote because it can pack much fuel for thinking into just a few words. Quotations can jumpstart my brain allowing me to travel down mental, emotional and spiritual roadways that may reveal new ways to see the world. They are also useful for people like me who have short attention spans.</p>
<p>Another literary form for those of us with short attention spans is the newspaper comic strip. Scott Adams, the creator of the comic strip “Dilbert,” shares his thoughts on creativity when he writes, “Creativity is allowing oneself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.”</p>
<p>Leo Burnett was an American advertising executive who is responsible for some of the most iconic characters of my TV childhood including Tony the Tiger, Charlie the Tuna, The Maytag Repairman and The Marlboro Man. Burnett states, “Curiosity about life in all of its aspects, I think, is still the secret of great creative people.”</p>
<p>The Artist’s Way is a highly influential and best-selling book which offers its readers exercises in developing and mobilizing their creative talents. The book’s author, Julia Cameron writes: “Mystery is at the heart of creativity. That and surprise.”</p>
<p>British playwright George Bernard Shaw takes us through the steps of the creative process. “Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will.”</p>
<p>Many thinkers seem to point to a more expansive notion of creativity. It is not only the process artists employ to make art, but it is the way we make our very lives. Author Ray Bradbury says, “Life is trying things to see if they work.” John W. Gardner, whose career included Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare under President Lyndon Johnson, agrees when he observes, “Life is the art of drawing without an eraser.”</p>
<p>French author Andre Gide speaks of creativity in the arts but he could just as well be speaking of life itself, at least from a spiritual perspective. “Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does, the better.”</p>
<p>Pablo Picasso also speaks of God when he points out, “God is really another artist. He created the giraffe, the elephant and the cat. He has no real style. He just goes on trying other things.”</p>
<p>This takes us back to the beginning, back to the story of a Creator whose creations are here to create. One could argue that the best way we can honor God is by doing our part in the continuing creation of the world.</p>
