We continue our study of Elohim, the first name of God that we encounter in the Bible in Genesis 1:1. In the beginning, Elohim created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis was written by Moses to provide the Israelites history about their heritage. This week we are going to focus on Genesis chapter 1 – The Creation Story. We touched on a few key foundation truths last week, and we are going to further focus on the creation of the universe.
GOD SPOKE CREATION INTO BEING
God spoke it into being. He did not have to go to the storehouse and get a bunch of supplies to create the sun, moon, and stars. The Creator of the Universe made it all for us. He wants us to use and enjoy the world we live in. We have to remember that it is all His, so we are to be good stewards of His creation.
PS 33: 6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host.
This week I want to focus on God’s creativity and to remember that we are created in His image (Genesis 1:27), so, therefore, WE ARE CREATIVE TOO! You may not feel creative but you are and you have the ability to become even more creative. Creativity is hard-wired into us!
Ps 139:14 says I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well. .
Definition: Create
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines creativity as “to bring into existence”. The word Create was first used in 1400s, it was adapted from the Latin word creātus meaning “to bring into being, beget, give birth or cause to grow” ( Merriam-Webster, 2020). We are trained to associate creative with visually creative – looking at framed art pieces and thinking I could never do that. But then we overlook the fact that you got 5 kids 5 different places today without going insane.
Creativity is really just another word for problem-solving. We take a challenge and we address it and we overcome. Often we do these in the ways we would least expect it- that’s creativity. It’s making an edible meal when you’re out of a key ingredient and there’s no time to run to the store. We create every day, we tend to overlook the things we do and too often compare ourselves with the visual arts. We have to remember creativity comes differently to each one of us.
When we create, we honor and glorify God.
Ted Esler wrote a great blog post about God’s creativity. God reveals His glory through His Creativity. Have you ever stopped to think about all the different kinds of flowers and animals and fish? Or have you stopped to take in a beautify scene of a valley or mountain or a sunrise? This is all God’s handiwork and a testament to His creativity. Elser also states that “We reveal God’s glory when we create.” When we create, we honor and glorify God.
I want to encourage everyone to go and create something this week. Do the challenge below and then do what you do, make an amazing meal for your family, write a poem, set a new personal best in your exercise, do so craftiness! Use whatever is in your hand and go create something. Whatever you do, do it for the Lord.
If you want to be more visually creative – stick with me as we go on this creative journey together!
This Week’s Challenge: Create Icons for the Creation Story.
This week’s challenge is the monthly ICON challenge. Your assignment this week is to draw the icons of the creation story. Reach Genesis Chapter 1 and draw out the icons by day for 7 days. I have organized my spread by days in my Bible Study Journal. Keep your icons simple. Here is my step by step guides on how I drew my icons. You can get the PDF of all days of Icons on my member’s only page by signing up for my newsletter at www.blessinks.com
My process for this page:
I thought I would share my process for this spread in my journal.
Tools: Permanent black pen, Watercolor, pencil and eraser, and the Bible.
In pencil, I laid out the title and the days. I created some clouds to separate the title from the days. I left the title till last, I knew my brush pen was not waterproof.
Day 1 I watercolored (with a damp brush – not overly wet so minimize the amount of buckle you get on the page. I decided to hang the lights from the clouds and then I drew bulbs and the sun and glued them in over the watercolor.
Day 2 I added a piece of Washi Tape to create a clear line between Day 2 and Day 3.
Day 3 I drew simple plants
Day 4 I used a very watered down black with blue to create the night effect. I carefully painted around the sun moon and stars with black. I added yellow after the sky dried.
Day 5 I added simple birds and fish. For all you 21 day Challengers out there, notice I added a scribble bird.
Day 6 I added Adam and some animals. I have shown you step by step on the how-to cards above.
I can’t wait to see what you create!
You can find the first post for our Elohim Study here.
Supplies for Next Week
Looking ahead to next week. You will need card stock or watercolor paper, colors – watercolor, color pencils or markers. and scissors.
References:
Altrogge, S. (n.d.) Make God Look Great. Create. DesiringGod.org. https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/make-god-look-great-create
Create.(2020).Definition Create. Merriam-Webster Dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/create#learn-more
Esler, T. (2016). Three Qualities of God’s Creativity. Mission Nexus.orghttps://missionexus.org/creativity/
Larkin, Rachel. (2018).Delighting in the Names of God: 8 Weeks to a Deeper Prayer Life. Rachel Larkin. Kindle Edition.website https://www.rachellarkin.com
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