We Can Be a Divine Channel
written by: Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. ”
Addressing our creativity requires action. The creative process includes continuing to write Morning Pages, but it also requires inner strength. In her book The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron quotes the early 20th-century Dutch painter, Piet Mondrian, who said, “The position of the artist is humble. He [she] is essentially a channel.” When it is about me, making myself creative, the pressure and overwhelming responsibility leave the innovative pathway blocked. When you and I invite the Holy Spirit into our creative process, there is an eternal source of visionary guidance.
I’ve been writing Daily Devotions five days per week, minus vacation time, for the past five years. I do not have enough information in my head, to say nothing of the creative resources, to create that many words, paragraphs, and pages. I’ve written hundreds of pages, enough for a large book every year. I completed most of these devotions at the end of a long day. Each one began with prayer. Whether or not any of these devotions are particularly inspirational, they are a long process of commitment. I could only finish this many devotions, with more words left in me, through the encouragement of the Holy Spirit.
You might ask, “if that is true, why are so many incredible artists unwilling to believe in God?” God uses God’s creation for the maximum benefit of the global community. If that means gifting someone who “doesn’t deserve it.” Well, that is just fine. Besides, none of us is worth it. That is why Mondrian affirmed the need for humility.
Today, ask God to replace the humiliation in our minds with humility. You and I are not worthy of accomplishing much in this world. With God, all things are possible. Little is possible by ourselves, but amazing things can happen when we invite God into our creative channel. Whether you are a painter or a physician, a sculpture or a sanitation worker, open yourself to God’s divine creativity and be surprised by how God can use little old you and me!