Late one night, while English majors were sleeping, the word creative morphed from being merely an adjective—“a creative person”—into a noun. “She’s a creative.” It happened first in the advertising world circa 1962. Mad Men, all that.
The best definition of a creative? The Lord himself.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). What a remarkable declaration of His sovereignty! The Hebrew word bara’ means “create,” but it also means “choose.”
In the beginning, God chose.
He made a mind-boggling series of choices. Light and dark, land and sea, birds and animals, plants and trees, male and female. “All things have been created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:16). Through His power. For His pleasure.
The beauty of His creation points to the beauty of Him. Our online sister, Tes, is awed by “all the colors He makes. He is an artist!” And Angie is amazed that “everything He has created has its own unique qualities.”
No two alike. Each one distinct.
God chose the particular look, sound, taste, scent, and texture of everything. Including us.
We have the privilege of enjoying His creation, but make no mistake—it was all about Him from day one. “For thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11).
He is the One who says, “It is good.” He chooses. He decides. He creates. He approves. He refines.
Whenever I lose sight of His staggering creative powers, I take a page from Isaiah and walk outside on a clear summer night. “Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name” (Isaiah 40:26).
The One who names the stars calls you by name and calls you His.
When He knit you in your mother’s womb, our creative God was just getting started. In due time, you were born—a miracle!—and then, Lord willing, you were born again. Another miracle! “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
He is not finished creating you, beloved. You can be “confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). Especially in those moments when we feel undone, isn’t it comforting to know He’s not done?
Heavenly Father, out of nothing, You made everything. You created us. You chose us. We’re grateful that You are still molding us, still shaping us into the image of Your Son, because our flaws are huge, Lord, and our weaknesses are undeniable. We need You. We love You. We trust You. We praise You. We thank You.
Where do you see God’s creativity on display right this minute, right where you are? Take a second to share your thoughts below. We’d love to know what you’re seeing!
Your grateful sister, Liz
@LizCurtisHiggs
The bunny outside my window using its tiny hands to quickly nibble tiny blades of baby grass. Thanks Jesus, for morning creatures!
God’s creativity is so easy to see this time of year. I see His fingerprints in the vibrant colors of the flowers and in the bounty of the vegetable gardens. We live in a rural area where the crops growing very well! I love seeing all the different shades of green in the corn, soybeans and alfalfa. We wor
ship one creative God!
We are enjoying God’s creativity and beauty in the Florida Keys. The water color is aqua and the coral reefs below are beautiful. The fish are colorful and a vast assortment to see. The ocean breeze feels like God’s whisper across our faces and His assurance that He is present as we enjoy His ocean.
The trees with their purple buds.
I see His hand as I’m working in the garden. I love the treasure of produce I find every morning and am reminded of His provision. I see the bees busy at work and reflect on the intricate intertwining of all His creation. I delight in His creative genius as I learn more of the way different plants grow. “And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known!”
I am actually watching the British open from St Andrews, enjoying the beautiful land of Scotland. Thank you for the wonderful reminder of God everlasting love and care for us. The verse from Phil. Holds a special place in my heart.
Gods surprises are wonderful!!!
Everyday miracles are happening! Amen
While watching a show about tropical birds which showed many varieties of birds of paradise, I thought of God laughing out loud as He fashioned the mating dance of each type. If you think of any one animal group and then think of the variety within it, you have to be amazed. God’s creation is spectacular!
I see Him in the beautiful day He has provided here in SE Pa(where we were blessed to have you speak to us this spring at Calvary Chapel of Delaware County). After hot, humid days in the high 80’s & low 90’s, to day is a lovely, breezy, 71 degrees! Maybe I will actually DO SOMETHING worthwhile today!!
I see the awesome creativity of God in the daily antics of my four year old granddaughter. I am currently staying with my son’s family as I recuperate from surgery.
Eight months ago we moved to a place on a lovely pond. The creativity of God I see there shows me His love in the beauty He shares, as in the twinkling of the ripples in the wind. I see His sense of humor and whimsy in the many sounds of the wildlife including those of a steadfast bullfrog all hours of the night. Mostly I’m thankful for the refreshment His creation provides.
th Beauty of all the flowers. And herbs and Trees and. God must of had a Great tme Creating all these some with Perfume some with not. And birds and animals and bugs. Even if we are not fussed on all bugs. And then humans. And we let Hm down so often. yet He loves us.
I’m sitting at my table having just finished breakfast. Looking around my compact apartment I see Him in the construction of my apartment, just big enough to hold all I NEED. He is and awesome GOD!
I see God’s creativity when I think of the planets, stars etc hanging in space with nothing holding them except the law of gravity.
God sustaining them by the power of His word.
It truly amazes me and causes wonder at this.
Here on Long Island my Hibiscus bush has started to bloom. The flowers are deep cranberry color. Even though they are on the same bush, no two are alike. God’s beauty all around me.
On my porch swing admiring the woods that surround my home and listening to a choir of insects……Beauty in simplicity.
Bless you, Lizzie! So glad I read this this morning. My friend, his 8 year old son and I plan to go to a zoo this afternoon. I know we will see God’s wonderful creatures, beautiful flowers and plants, and God’s children – big and small – enjoying those wonders. May God’s Blessings pour down on this beautiful world.
In the beautiful words I have read in your devotional and others today. In the lovely pictures that you used to display his and your thoughts. In the words shared with my long distance family today. Like you, I say, we need, love, trust, praise and thank him. Funny, I had synchronicity with those feelings today.
Thank you Liz for your continued inspiration…
I have the joy of babysitting my almost 4 month old twin granddaughters. As a mom, I remembered being busy being a mom. With these precious babies, I have the time to stare at their God-given beauty and to simply be in awe of His Majesty through them. I praise and thank Him for the awesome gift!
My beautiful grand daughter Aviyah just turned one year old in looking back on the newborn pictures it was so evident that she was knitted together perfectly in her mother’s womb…now that she is one and walking and beginning to talk God’s creativity is so evident in her little smiles and waves bye bye and her little giggle…Just makes this Meemaw more thankful to my God for the gift he gave in Aviyah.
I hear him in the breeze that blows through the trees on a hot summer day
The green bean plants climbing and twining in the evening sunlight outside the window.
Seeing my Creator in my Rosie, God’s gift to me, my little dog.
She is so sweet, cute and very interested in my whole life. When I laugh she seems to want to join in; when I cry, she is at my side, ensuring I know that I am not alone; when I sleep, she is in bed with me; and we both enjoy walks to our local park where we Rejoice in God’s Creation!
I see God’s creativity on display on this sumptuous day. “Sumptuous” is dictionary.com’s Word of the Day, and there couldn’t be a better word to describe this glorious July day. Usually July means hot and humid where I’m from. But today we have been blessed with lower temps and low humidity. Blue skies beckon one outside, and that’s where I took my lunch–to a nearby park dotted with sunny flowers and lavish shade trees. Yes, dictionary.com hit the nail on the head when choosing this word, which means entailing great expense, as from choice materials, fine work, etc.; costly: a sumptuous residence. Our God spared no expense on this day in this place to prepare a sumptuous residence for us all.
I sit watching my grandkids, with their mom, and my mother-in-law, who will be 93 next month, sleeping and think how blessed we are to be able to be together. We brought her from PA to MO. Oh how creative God is.
I see God’s creation in the huge white thunder clouds up north with the contrast of bright blue skies. I love the thrill of a possible summer storm. He made them all. God’s creativity is so majestic in nature!
Praise God – I am seeing his creation in my beautiful new granddaughter – just 5 days old.
Margaret
Australia
It is a hot sunny day and shades to the west are drawn but God’s sunlight is so bright between the slats of my blinds. My southern window blinds are open for me to see my tomato plant and I see a bright red tomato too. It’s bright green leaves intermingle with the purplish green new leaves of my tree rose. I look out my French doors and I can see guara swaying.
A little earlier this evening there was the most vivid sunset! The colors filled up the whole sky and was amazing. We have the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen here in southern Oregon. The whole house watches each night what God brings forth in the most radiant and color-filled skies. His Glory is all over the Heavens! Thanks for this Liz!
Good Morning Ms. Liz,
I see Gods creative power in my marriage. I have been married for 38 yrs. God brought my husband and I together and created one. He created a daughter and son as well, for us to love, and 6 beautiful grandchildren, and he isn’t finished! We are awaiting the arrival of our granddaughter to make her debut in Oct. God is always creating, never sleeps or stays still. Praising Him who loves and joys to create for himself, and the blessing runs over onto all of us.
I have started to do Bible Journaling and I see Gods hand in my sisters in Christ as we share Gods Word and each person is creative in so many different ways. ALL beautiful in the eyes of our Savior.
Dear Liz…. Our family has just spent 3 weeks in Europe… The Lauterbrunnen valley in Switzerland, with high snow-capped mountain peaks and cascading waterfalls. And the South of France, with azure waters and mountain top villages… And Provence with purple lavender fields and bright yellow sunflowers….how great is our amazing creative God… Who has made all this… And given us New Life in Christ… And an encourager named Liz who brings Sonshine to the lives of others. Thank you! ☀️ Shelley
Looking out my window I see the greatness of God in my fruit trees and flowers.
My children. Sitting here surrounded by my five children. Each one entrusted to us to raise and care for each one with a unique look a unique path to take as they grow and develop. God designed every eye colour every birth mark every trait so amazing how he creates life. One of my children is disabled and he is so beautiful so special I see God in him everyday. Everyday I’m reminded of God’s promises and creativity in all my children. Love God so much. xx
Just thinking our Heavenly Father created the stars for our amazement and enjoyment. WOW! all those stars we can not even count the quantity. For us to praise Him in all His glorious splendor. It is awweesome. Thank you Father for your creations throughout.
I see his beauty in my family, beautiful flowers and the waves as they roll into the beach.
What truly grips my heart and can bring me to tears is the absolutely amazingly beautiful, humongous, white, fluffy clouds!!! (my personal favorites:)) One day as I was driving, I saw a lamb in those gorgeous clouds! As I continued driving, I’d keep looking and even when I went around a bend, it seemed those eyes of the lamb were following me …… watching me…. just as we know “His eye is on the sparrow”!!! Truly the heavens declare the glory of God!!!
I’m enjoying God’s creativeness. The beautiful and different markings on my dog show me how precious God is!!! He is our wonderful maker and calls us each by name. My daughter and I are in awe of how the vine on our pole grows and twirls around it so? She said to me, ” I would like to see when it moves and grows. Amazing!! I believe this is one of the many miracles, that we need to make our children learn, that this is only God’s (creativity). In this situation with creation, He is the only one to see and make things grow. He is the vine and we are His branches. Praise Him! 🙂
Looking out the window at the beautiful Puget Sound surrounded by amazing mountains it is easy to see God’s creativity. The palette of colors, the diversity of the land, the beach, the animals & sea life, the changing light & beautiful sunsets, the patterns & cycles. It is amazing & overwhelming at times.
Liz, thanks for your reminders & opportunities to share.
I see the majesty and Glory of God when I look at the ocean. The colors, the power, the beauty. The fact that God tells the ocean where to stop and it doesn’t go past that point.
It’s 8:15 p.m. here in the East, and my husband just said, “Look at the clouds!” With the reflection of the sunset on them, they are just beautiful…true works of art from our creative God, who shows His love to us in countless ways.
I have a single lily blossom perfuming my entire room as I lie here listening to my family’s movements and voices beyond my door. Thank you, Lord, for so many created blessings.
My Dear Beloved Most Rev & Pastress Sister In Christ Liz Curtis Higgs,
Praise the Lord O my Soul .Praise the Lord .Well sister Liz Curtis Higgs .Thank you for the word of God yesterday that you’ve send me sister 7 i received it’s awesome to receive the word of God through his children & also his servants like you sisters’ “why it is Good to be Bold”without God i’m nothing & i can’t move every day , he is allowing me to move i’m moving from one place to another & without the job for me ,but my Hope,Spirit & Life i,submit into the hands of the mighty hands of our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ ,The Darling of Heaven’s Name I Pray & Ask .Amen ! Amen ! Well it’s “for in Him All Things Were Created .— colossians cahp 1; 16 God created Heaven& Earth or Wanderer in Genesis chapter 1st 1;1 every verse my favourite chapter in the Old Testament, In The ‘Holy Bible’.”GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY & JOB ‘S & YOUR MINISTRY’ in Peace & safest way in Jesus Name i Pray .Amen ! Amen ! Thanking You
With Warm & Best Regards
Veerendhar Borra .Reddy
I am blessed to see His creation daily in my neighborhood, the people and our natural surroundings, how He lovely created each of my pets and especially my daughter. Her complex way of thinking and her ability to see the fun in everything and the good in everyone. #GODisgoodALLthetimesALLthetimesGODisgood
Hi Liz,
What an intriguing post.
I can’t get over this idea of the word “create” meaning “decide.” It seems so simple. Yet, I’ve never thought about it that way before. But once you start thinking about how something is created, you realize that every piece was a decision.
Right now, I’m sitting at my computer, no where near a window through which to see God’s creation. But what I do see are many comments by beautiful women whom God created, and it’s a whole different level of appreciation for God’s creativity.
Hello, Liz! I see the Lord’s creative hand in the beautiful favorite color green trees around my yard. I see his hand in the flowers that are in bloom and the tiny rabbits running around in the back yard while my handsome labradoodle Studley Dudley sleeps on our deck I see Him in my two cats Smokey and Shadow I hear Him in the sounds of the river nearby. I hear Him in the wind setting my chimes to dancing. I see Him in me. Thank You, Lord for Your mercy and grace. amen
I’m sitting is a small restaurant on the Chesapeake Bay. Looking out the window at the gorgeous, calm water glistening in the evening sun. The water gives me,a feeling of peace, God’s love and Him saying all is well
I am writing this on 7/23, it is a beautiful sunny day. I have a late blooming flower bush with pretty purple flowers on it. It’s growing around some weeds, that can only be the work of the Lord.
Seeing God’s Creative Power with all the news of space, Pluto, and all the other “new” discoveries science is trying to explain. GOD alone holds All of it in His Vast Hand!!!
I looked out my window and SAW the leaves and branches on the trees moving. I CAN’T SEE the WIND, but I know GOD’S BREATH AND SPIRIT IS THE WIND. Thank you God for always being present in our lives, even when we don’t take the time to SEE or HEAR you.
My little Grandson taking his first steps
I have a sister who has cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities. When I retired earlier this year, I felt led to volunteer at the place where she has come for many years, The Center. I am seeing many individuals, God’s creations all, who have the same or similar disabilities. They are the most loving and creative people. They are caning chairs, painting pictures, coloring in color books, and they have a reason and purpose to be. They are definitely God’s creations, and lovely ones, at that!
I saw God’s creativity this week in these things:
* My 9 year old neighbour (when I was out!) painted my letter box purple – what a love gift, I smile every time I see it,
*People donated 100 blankets at $35 each to keep those in Ukraine living on the street warmer at night,
* A friend offered to bake a birthday cake,
* I special friend in London got in touch.
The good Shepherd’s “goodness and mercy” abounds.