Creativity: The Answer to Life-Sucking Routine
Written by Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.”
I've focused my latest learning on creativity. My personal and professional life can quickly become a mundane sequence of events if I do not focus on new and creative ways of living out my life. Routine is only good when it is part of a more extensive growth process. Being a minister is a life-long process of creatively motivating, challenging, and supporting people in their faith journey. The way I attempt to fulfill my call is to preach, teach, care for myself, and trust others in a similar spiritual place. I need new, creative ways of inspiring my faith journey, or I will fall into a stagnant, life-sucking routine.
Over the last couple of months, I have been slowly studying The Great Courses series, "The Creative Thinker's Toolkit" by Professor Gerard Puccio, Ph.D. He is a professor of Creativity at the University of Buffalo. Dr. Puccio guides the learner in new ways of looking at situations, providing varied and unique forms of addressing life's concerns and intellectual and emotional challenges. So often, spiritual lives also benefit from diverse and unique experiences.
Thomas Oppong, in his article "How to Use Lateral Thinking to Remove Unnecessary Cycles In Life," helps us see beyond the first response. Oppong declares, "Sometimes, the best way forward is to think backwards, think beyond first principles, and question our assumptions, beliefs, and conventional wisdom." Often, wisdom is not found in our first thoughts on a subject. Instead, it is in the more extended consideration where we glean depth and numerous options. The more we can look at each idea in multiple ways, the better we become at viewing life with greater depth and meaning.
When we respond to each situation with our first thought or feeling, we react to life in the simplest terms. However, when we prayerfully investigate life and its voluminous options, we leave room for the Holy Spirit to guide and surprise us. Today, practice looking at the day's options and possible decisions with more than just a gut reaction. Struggle to consider as many possibilities as possible before deciding on an answer. Even if some options are silly, one might spur a thought that leads to a profound decision. Give God's Spirit room to move and surprise you in all your decision-making. When you do, deeper wisdom will touch your life and faith.
