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| Mesu Andrews |
When someone asks me, “Are you creative?” my mind flashes to the half-full closet of half-finished craft projects in our spare bedroom. But, remarkably, my answer is, “Yes. I was created to be creative.” Believe it or not, you’re creative too! Read on to see if you agree…
God is distinct as Creator with the ability to create from nothing. He brings into being something that previously didn’t exist.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” Genesis 1:1-2
He continued creating the sky, land, seas, plants, animals—but when the Creator created man, He did it a little “creatively.”
“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27
Don’t you wish you could have seen Adam and Eve BEFORE sin? The perfect image of God on earth—unscarred by sin—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, sin marred them. Sin marred the image of God in human form.
Blemished by not broken, God’s image still forms the core of every newborn, and it is this core of God’s image that distinguishes us from animals and angels.
“You have made [humankind] a little lower than the angels and…You made them rulers over the works of your hands...” Psalm 8:5-6
So, what do you and I do that our dogs can’t do? Well, I’m a pet-lover, not a theologian, so I don’t know all the ins-and-outs of the body, soul, and spirit. But I know this:
Because I was created in the image of my God:
- I can create.
- I am creative
- You’re creative too.
This post is a creation. I used letters, a computer, and the internet to communicate it, but the thoughts were a creative process made possible because I was created in the image of my Creator.
And creation is a PROCESS: inspiration and imagination that leads to revelation. We participate in this process—as writers, teachers, moms, dads, problem-solvers of all kinds—with the Creator Himself. How cool is that?
Sin may have marred the divine image of original humanity, and it most certainly strained the fellowship of our Holy God with His Creation—but through the righteous blood of Jesus I’m renewed day-by-day in both His image and in fellowship with Him.
So, let me be the first to ask…Are you creative?
Can you think of other creative pursuits besides writing?
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- God’s image in humans was flawed by sin, but it still forms the core of every newborn.
- Blemishedby not broken, God’s image in us distinguishes us from animals and angels.
- Inspiration and imagination lead to revelation. We participate in this process with the Creator Himself.
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| About the Author |
Biblical fiction is her favorite genre to read and write. Her first novel, Love Amid the Ashes (Revell, 2011), won the 2012 ECPA Book of the Year in the Debut Author Category. Love’s Sacred Song (Revell, 2012), the Song of Solomon story, received a 4 ½ star rating from RT Reviews. And Love in a Broken Vessel(Revell), the story of Hosea and Gomer, is available now and received a 4 ½ star TOP PICK rating from RT Reviews.
The Shadow of Jezebel
Princess Jehosheba wants nothing more than to please the harsh and demanding Queen Athaliah, daughter of the notorious Queen Jezebel. |
| In the Shadow of Jezebel by Mesu Andrews |
Her work as a priestess in the temple of Baal seems to do the trick. But when a mysterious letter from the dead prophet Elijah predicts doom for the royal household, Jehosheba realizes that the dark arts she practices reach beyond the realm of earthly governments. To further Athaliah and Jezebel’s strategies, she is forced to marry Yahweh’s high priest and enters the unfamiliar world of Yahweh’s temple. Can her new husband show her the truth and love she craves? And can Jehosheba overcome her fear and save the family–and the nation–she loves?
With deft skill, Mesu Andrews brings Old Testament passages to life, revealing a fascinating story of the power of unconditional love.
