We are all creative people created in the image of the Creator. It’s built into our role as humans regardless of whether we’re a doctor, accountant, musician, or entrepreneur. Even Adam’s very first task after being created was creating names for the animals.

It’s very clear in the Bible that Christians should be inherently creative, and I believe the most creative. But what does “being creative” really mean?

Recently, I was minding my own business and God stopped me out of nowhere and said, “Creativity is defined by risk.”

It took me off guard, but the more I thought about it I realized that this statement could not be any truer. 

Creativity in definition is about doing something new. Whenever we do something new there is an inability to fully predict the outcome with confidence (risk). Therefore, as the creatives that we all are, we inevitably have to take risks in order to be “creative”. It’s inherently impossible to be creative without risk.

Are we playing it safe and losing the reward?

Sadly, I think it’s safe to say that in current culture we aren’t known for being innovative risk-takers. We’re more known for imitating what the world produces than we were in the past. 

We were once leaders breaking down the divide between Christianity and secular through creative beauty. Today, our industries many times work hard to avoid offending or agitating anyone with what we create and how we minister. If we do something unexpected then we risk people leaving the church or not buying our records. 

Labels rarely want to invest in new artists or new sounds because it’s risky financially to target demographics other than their very specific marketing profile. Songwriters and artists can also feel the pressure to avoid trying something new because there is a risk that other churches won’t play their songs and CCLI royalties won’t come in.

But what about all of the people we aren’t reaching, inspiring, influencing and ministering to because we are being cautious? We’ve come a long way and accomplished great things in the church, but we will struggle to see increase and revival if we play it safe. 

I don’t want to get to Heaven and have God point out to me all of the Kingdom impacts I could have made if I had just been willing to be bold and forge my own path. I want to let Him lead me in my creative decisions rather than play it safe by imitating others.

Christ modeled what we should be known for.

Christianity is risky. The choice to submit to and pursue a God you can’t physically see is rather intimidating. For God, creating humanity was a risk. He breathed life into a perfect creation even though it could choose sin over relationship with Him. Jesus wanted to give His life for humanity even though so many would spit in His face and deny Him. He prayed for the sick even though the Pharisees would judge Him for breaking the Sabbath rules.

Tithing, praying for the sick, ministering in your workplace, and following God’s purpose for your life are all risky, but commanded. He did not give us a spirit of fear, but one of power to be able to do greater works than He did. In the end, God has gained so much. He’s gained you and billions of children through the risks. Shouldn’t that be enough motivation for us to pursue true, unhindered creativity?

Creativity embraces failure.

If you want to thrive in life you have to be willing to get uncomfortable, which means failing at times. 

When you are doing something new (creating) there is always a risk of if not working out. You’re also not going to please everyone, which is OK. 

When Elon Musk was interviewed about his company in 2005 he stated,

“Failure is an option here. If things are not failing you are not innovating.”

What if that was a pastor speaking about his church? A label speaking about its artists? A worship pastor about their team? A God speaking about His children? Oh, wait…

It’s better to create and fail than to not create at all. We have to be innovating for the sake of the Kingdom because it’s a necessary ingredient for progress. God wants to see all come to Him and our music has the power to help.

Surround yourself with people who are moving forward.

Being in an environment that encourages exploration is necessary for fostering senses that are in tune with God’s creativity. If we live with walls up then we will most likely not experience God in His fullness. 

I believe that sometimes non-Christians experience more of God’s creative nature than Christians do because they haven’t tried to “protect” themselves as heavily. 

Being open-minded and open-handed allows God to move in our lives like we’ve never seen before. Find people who do things differently than you and let them inspire you to be creative. Following the pack only gets you so far. We need to take new territory and it starts with each one of us.

Where have you seen God show up as you or someone else has embraced risks? What does creativity mean for you?

You may also be interested in these posts!

• The One Thing Guaranteed to Disrupt Any Healthy Worship Team
• Following God’s Purpose For Your Life by Taking Risks
• Episode 97 Deeper Worship, Vulnerability and the Global Church with We The Kingdom
• Find Purpose in Worship Through God’s Creativity
• Episode 80 • The Reality of Sin on Stage with Benjamin Forehand