CREATIVITY

While "The Night Watch," a masterpiece by the painter Rembrandt, was being restored, and the public was invited to view the procedure and give feedback on the restoration process.  All of us in recovery are like the people depicted in that painting we have been stained by the world around us.  Each one of us requires individual attention as we are being restored to the person God created us to be. 

Know that the Lord is God.  He made us, and we belong to him.  We are his people.  We are the sheep belonging to his flock.  (Psalm 100:3 NIRV)

As toddlers we likely did small things that brought delight to those around us.  As the years went on, we got stained by events that happened to us and around us. In addition, who we were created to be got taken over by the person we became in our addictive lifestyle.  God gave each of us creative ability, but it got lost behind the protectionist screen we put up.  Perhaps we can paint or play an instrument or sing or excel at a sport or build a house or use some other skill we have been given.  God has a purpose for each of us on this earth and we can expect that the purpose will show itself during the recovery process.

The Lord has given them special skills as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet thread on fine linen cloth, and weavers. They excel as craftsmen and as designers.  (Exodus 35:35 NLT)

The public who viewed the restoration of the painting were invited to give input on its progress.  In our recovery we have people around us who are willing to share their experience, strength and hope with us.  Being creative is a God given ability because each of us is made in God’s image.  God’s desire is that we discover His original plan for our lives and allow Him to fully restore the person He created us to be.

The Lord will work out his plans for my life — for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.  Don’t abandon me, for you made me.  (Psalm 138:8 NLT)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, When I look around, I am amazed by the work of Your hands.  Please restore me to be the person You created me to be, so that I might take my rightful place in Your creative plan.  Amen