Made to Create: A Reflection for Creatives & Artists

How artistic expression points to the ultimate Creator

This reflection is for the ones who see potential in a blank canvas, who capture the beauty of a fleeting moment, and who use their hands, minds, and hearts to make things that inspire.

You create to evoke emotion, to spark thought, to draw people into something deeper.

But before you assume this message doesn’t apply to you—if you’re someone who feels like creativity isn't your thing—hold on just a moment. I’m confident this is for you, too. We’ve all been given creative ability, though it might not always look the same. Creativity isn't limited to art, music, or design. It shows up in countless ways—problem-solving, hospitality, or how you plan your time. It’s part of how we’re wired.

It’s easy to romanticize creative work. Whether you’re a professional artist, dabble as a side hustle, or create purely for the joy of it, there’s a unique kind of fulfillment that comes with artistic expression. Unlike many professions, creativity often feels less like something you have to muster up motivation for and more like a wave of inspiration that you ride.

I'll use my wife as an example. She has this God-given ability to make anything beautiful (just ask her about how she transformed my wardrobe when we first started dating!). She is always ready to help someone imagine and see creative possibilities—whether it’s redesigning a space or creating a graphic. Her favorite part? Witnessing the reaction of those who benefit from her work.

I wonder if God feels the same way about His creation.

I can’t help but think of how similar this is to Him, the ultimate Creator, who declared all parts of creation "good"—and after He made us, He called the entirety of His work "very good."

There’s something sacred in the act of creating. Just as my wife delights in seeing her work bring joy to others, God takes genuine pleasure in His creation, including you. He is proud of you and the person you are becoming. After all, you were made in His image.

So, for the painters, musicians, photographers, designers, and every artist in between, here’s the big question.

How does God make the world better through your work?

Before you answer that, let’s take a step back to remember something foundational—how God first created you. To understand how your work makes a difference, it’s crucial to see where it all begins: in God’s image.

In Genesis 1:27 (NET), we read:

“God created humankind in His own image,

in the image of God He created them,

male and female He created them.”

Being made in God’s image is a profound distinction—it sets humanity apart from the rest of creation. We don’t grow into the image of God over time; it’s intrinsic to who we are. It’s our birthright. It’s a part of what makes us human.

As Matthew Henry puts it, humanity was designed to be a unique combination of heaven and earth, flesh and spirit, crafted to reflect God’s nature in the world.¹ God, the original Creator, formed us not only to steward creation but to participate in it—infusing it with beauty, order, and meaning.

As we reflect on our own creativity, we can also look to Bezalel, the artisan chosen by God to design and craft the tabernacle. His story illustrates what it looks like when our creative work is infused with God's Spirit and becomes part of His divine purpose.

In Exodus 31:1-5 (NET), we read:

“The Lord spoke to Moses, ² “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, ³ and I have filled him with the Spirit of God in skill, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, ⁴ to make artistic designs for work with gold, with silver, and with bronze, ⁵ and with cutting and setting stone, and with cutting wood, to work in all kinds of craftsmanship.”

This story reminds us that creative work, when done in partnership with God, serves a sacred purpose. When you create—whether through a song, a painting, or a carefully designed space—you’re participating in God’s creative work. Your creativity echoes the Creator. It’s a reflection of the One who first formed light and life.

Makoto Fujimura, a contemporary Christian artist, captured this idea perfectly when he said, “God is the only true Artist, and we are all invited to be artists (with a small “a”) as children of God to manifest new creation into our fractured world.”²

So, what should we think about the things we create? How do they point back to God and make the world better? When we create in partnership with God, we bring His beauty, order, and meaning into a world that desperately needs it.

To make this more practical, consider this:

Graphic designers, you create visuals that are not just aesthetically pleasing but also functional. Your work helps people discover products, services, or messages that can meet a need or solve a problem. You create clarity and connection.

Interior and exterior designers, you shape environments where people find rest, joy, and peace. Whether it’s a cozy living room or a welcoming outdoor space, you help create places where people can be present with one another—and even with God.

Photographers, you capture moments that reflect God’s beauty in the world. Your work helps us remember, reflect, and find stillness in a fast-paced world. Through your lens, we glimpse eternity.

Musicians, you shape soundscapes that stir the soul. Music is one of the oldest ways humanity has worshiped God, and through your gift, you invite others into the sacred act of praise and contemplation. You create beauty that speaks to the heart when words can’t.

Painters, filmmakers, sculptors, you reveal truth in ways that words alone can’t. Through your work, we see new perspectives, explore new ideas, and find moments of rest from the everyday. You help us see the world—and ourselves—differently.

To every creative, your work has value. Not just in the skill or the product but in the way it reflects the beauty of God. In a world filled with brokenness and chaos, your creativity points to the ultimate Creator who brings order, beauty, and hope.

As you go about your week, take a moment to ask: How is my creativity reflecting the image of God? How is my work bringing more beauty, truth, or peace into the world? I’d love to hear your own reflections in the comments below.

If you’ve made it this far and feel encouraged, why not share this with a fellow creative who could use a reminder of the sacred purpose behind their work? Let’s inspire each other to reflect God’s image in everything we create!

As always,

May the Lord bless the work of your hands, guide the thoughts of your mind, and complete His own work in the deepest part of your heart.

1

Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible. S.L., Third Millennium Press Lt, 2020.

Parker, Kristen. “Kuyper Prize Recipient Sees Art as “Essential Part of Our Public Theology.”” The Banner, 8 Apr. 2022, www.thebanner.org/news/2023/05/kuyper-prize-recipient-sees-art-as-essential-part-of-our-public-theology. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

2.