Time to Create
As someone who loves media and can be a homeboy, I have to keep a tight watch on how I spend my free time. While I have a high tolerance for watching shows and lounging, I have my limits. I have found when I do too much lounging and not enough creating, I get down and drained. In a way this is a continuation of my blog, “Recognize the Attack.”
When I am creating, I feel closer to God. Whether it's a new blog, a new recipe, or even a sewing creation–I feel an energy, a purpose.
While what we are making may be new to us, it is not a surprise to God.
“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” (John 1:3)
Our “creation” is an act of stewardship, being faithful with the talents and resources He’s given us.
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)
I believe from the time we are born to the time we take our last breath, God expects us to leave something behind.
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
Creation looks different for all us and the scale will vary. Creation isn’t always a physical thing. What relationships can we create or mend? What good habits or principles can we enact? For some, the impact will be more physical, others more intangible. In the Bible, we see some people build temples and save nations of people and then there are people mentioned in the Bible where we aren’t provided their name.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)
I like the commentary provided in my Bible (Life Application Study Bible, NIV) for this verse.
“Jeremiah was ‘appointed’ by God ‘as a prophet to the nations.’ God has a purpose for each Christian, but some people are appointed by God for specific kinds of work e.g. Samson, David, John the Baptist and Paul were also called to do particular jobs for God. Whatever work you do should be done for the glory of God. If God gives you a specific task, accept it cheerfully and do it with diligence. If God has not given you a specific call or assignment, then seek to fulfill the mission common to all believers–to love, obey, and serve God–until his guidance becomes more clear.”
To round out how I started, there is work for us to do. When I find myself stagnant, I know I need to lean into God and get His guidance on how I should be stewarding my time and the resources He’s provided me.
