Day 4 of Embracing Your Creative Gifts: God Loves Variety

 

How varied are your works, Lord!
In wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your wonders. – Psalm 104:24

 

God loves variety. In my backyard alone, there are at least twenty different types of vegetation growing (most of which I did not plant). There are over 170 different breeds of dogs, and that doesn’t even take into account all the variations from interbreeding. The sea is teaming with creatures, many of which marine biologists are still trying to learn about. There are millions of viruses and bacteria we can’t even see with the naked eye. It truly is mind-blowing when you stop to think about it.

And we people? Each one of us has a distinct DNA. Even identical twins have minute differences. We also have different souls. We are our own unique mix of characteristics, gifts, and talents which are then developed by our upbringing.

As a small child I thought that everyone was the same as me: that they approached the world and thought of things in the same way. It was quite the shock to discover that other people had different skills. I could read and write easily; they could run well and do somersaults.

The same truth holds true for our creativity. No two of us have the same vision. We each solve problems in unique ways. Our artistic expression and verbal patterns are varied. Even if asked to copy a drawing, each one of us will do it in a slightly different manner. God loves variety. Let us each embrace our unique way of seeing.

Prayer

Heavenly Creator, thank you for the wondrous variety of our planet. Thank you for making each one of us unique. Help me to always value the individual contribution each person makes to our world.

Action

Take some time today to appreciate the incredible variety of the plants and animals God has created. Take a walk around your neighborhood and truly look at the various vegetation and wildlife. Notice their similarities and differences. If you feel so inclined, take a journal with you and make some quick sketches of a plant or animal you find interesting. This is an act of process rather than product. Tell your inner judge to be quiet. It doesn’t matter what it looks like, but the very act of drawing something forces you to stop and observe more closely.

This is an excerpt from The Work of Our Hands. (Amazon affiliate link)