Still somewhat in summer vacation mode, I recently pondered seating on planes. Some discount airlines require you to pay extra to choose your seat. The rest get assigned a seat at random. But whether you pay for your seat or choose to be subject to the airline’s whim, they allow all sorts of people on the plane. Once you pass through security, everyone is basically the same. Men or women, young or old, blonde or bald, dressed to the nines or still wearing pajama pants—none of that matters. The point is, if you bought a ticket, you’re going to travel in one of those seats.
Such equivalency—where everyone is basically seen as a fare-paying passenger—terminates at disembarkment. Off the crowded plane–with all kinds temporarily thrust into forced association–people typically return to preferred communities of those who look, think, and talk like them. Unfortunately, this preference largely holds true in church as well. In some churches a man would stand out like a sore thumb if not wearing a suit and tie and women would appear out of place without a fancy hat and dress. Others practically requires jeans and a hoodie to fit in. We unknowingly or purposefully place a strong emphasis on externals, but God does not.
In I Samuel 16:7 God tells Samuel, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” He never discriminates in giving us a seat on the plane of life. He made us different on purpose. The very first thing we learn about God from the Bible is that He is creative—the Creator of heaven and earth (Genesis 1:1). One look at any aspect of creation and we see that God enjoys inventiveness and variety—trees, flowers, insects, birds, fish, mammals, even geographical and climate differences.
Humans alone were made in His image, though, and He endowed us with creative ability. Whether ours involves artistic expression, music, strategic thinking, humor, athleticism, skill with words, cooking, or one of countless other gifts, He wants us to use our creative powers, not only to bless and help others, but also for our own enjoyment!
God never demands that we check our creativity at the door the way airport security policy constrains carry-on items. He has room for every part of us and wants us to bring our whole self into His kingdom. There’s a fulfillment and contentment that comes from using our gifts.
Our abilities and talents could be likened to tools or inventions suited to a special purpose. In a metaphorical sense, sewing machines want to sew, calculators yearn to crunch numbers, and lawn mowers love to cut grass. Whether we get to use our imaginative and expressive gifts the majority of the time at work or only in outside pursuits, we all need outlets for individual creativity.
Bring your whole self to this amazing life we share in Christ. God’s provided a seat for you, whoever you are, however you look. If you’ve not discovered your flavor of creativity, start exploring! Then make room for it. It will not only add to your enjoyment of your remaining years here, but it stands to bless others as well!
