A Call for Creative Thinkers
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” –2 Corinthians 5:17
Are you called to be a creative thinker?
Over the years I’ve worked in various capacities in the arts. I’ve served in managerial and teaching roles alongside my own creative endeavors. Throughout the years I’ve picked up a broad range of skills that include shadow puppet building, playwriting, blacksmithing, sketch comedy, the list goes on and on. Throughout that past season of learning I traveled across the country multiple times and worked with incredible professionals from around the globe. Let me tell you, it was quite an adventure.
However, most of this work took place within a secular environment. Many of the people I worked with did not acknowledge the existence of God, let alone their deep need for Him. Still, these artists and artisans are some of the MOST incredibly talented and creative people I’ve ever known, and their innate love for life is inescapable.
A few years back, I made my way back to the Lord. I took a giant U-turn in my life for about seven years. I was on a journey seeking my identity. Little did I know, that after growing up in the church, the very answers I sought were in the Bible. After digging through multiple doctrines and theologies God really was waiting to be found. He was right where He had always been, just some of my perceptions had to change.
That said, throughout that transition my life starting heading a different direction than I expected. That change has not always been easy. It has taken me outside of my comfort zone and God has asked me to take on areas that at times stretch me, and stretch me, and stretch me. But He is always faithful, and in those times of weakness He responds with words of encouragement, and despite the challenges, because I know I’m in the right place, at the right time, there is so much peace, and I’m just loving what I do.
Yet, there are some little creative sparks leftover from the past, and now and again, the embers of my love for the arts are stirred and my old passion ignites, full blaze. Most recently I found myself questioning this love in a service at House of David. We had a special speaker that evening, Dr. Mark Bishop. Through an incredible live demonstration, he gave a visual lesson on the power of the Word of God to bring new life; body, mind, and spirit.
Now listen folks, if there has ever been a visual learner, I’m it. As Curt Landry and Dr. Mark shared that evening I began to weep and weep. I’m almost certain that the message was meant for me specifically. Since then, my understanding for just how impactful the Word of God is on the Believer’s life has increased greatly. Not that it wasn’t there to begin with, it just took me to another level that’s all.
However, as I was sitting in the congregation the Lord began to speak to me specifically about the arts. I thought, “Lord! Why are you talking to me about this right now?” His response was to simply answer the question I have been asking for years. “Why the arts?”
The Holy Spirit said…
“The arts are the very act of creation itself. Just like I once took form and void and displayed my splendor by creating the universe, the artist mimics my very nature when they take nothing and produce something new. It can be used for my glory, or it can be manipulated to suit the agenda of the one who develops the piece.”
Now, let me explain that I have some flaws in my character, and soon after I heard these words I sluffed them off, not understanding why He shared. However, just to prove that He was indeed trying to get a point across to me, almost as soon as the service was over, another creative came to me crying and said, “This is a rhetorical question so don’t feel like you need to have an answer, but… “Why art?” What is its true purpose?” I laughed and said, “you’re not going to believe this but…”
I share this secret with you now, almost everyone I’ve known in the art world was on some major hunt for their identity. Often their chosen field of study was the way they expressed this journey. Through my own wandering, I found with great sadness that there is very little room in the church for the arts, and sometimes rightfully so. It, like many other areas of entertainment, has become overwhelmingly inundated with mysticism and lewdness, that it makes finding a place for the arts difficult at best. Still, where do the creatives go if they’re misunderstood by the Body of Christ? Where can they go to perfect their talents and skills in excellence that brings positive impact in our culture?
“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” –Genesis 1:27
The very act of creativity is not a man-made invention. God is a creative God, and we are made in His image. Don’t believe that age old lie, when someone tells you, “Well I’m just not creative.” That is literally a lie from Satan himself. Are we made in God’s likeness or not? Doesn’t it says so in the Word of God? So friends, I’m here to tell you that yes, you too, reflect some aspect of God’s creativity.
The Body of Christ needs to prepare itself to become creative thinkers. It needs to step out of the boxes that have held it back, and start partnering with the Holy Spirit in a new way. Prophets from across the globe are decreeing that we are in a new season of time. As Curt Landry sometimes says, “we have to lose our second day thinking, to operate in this third day season of time.”
“In the beginning God created…” –Genesis 1:1
So, with that in mind, I invite you to start inviting the Lord to partner with you in new and, dare I say it, creative/artistic ways. Ask him to show you an area that would suit you or even ask to be stretched in a new direction. We need to start claiming the creativity of our Father God as a part of our inheritance! Through this process of breakthrough, new inventions, expressions, strategies, and tools will begin to be released to the Bride of Christ.
A word of warning… through this activity, you will probably make something ugly, or think of something that doesn’t work, and possibly people will point fingers and laugh. That’s all a part of the creative process. Don’t be afraid to fail. And DON’T be afraid to succeed. As long as you’re seeking His face, the rest will follow. Just keep thanking the Lord as you walk with Him through these new developments.
Lastly, pray for the artists across the globe. Encourage the ones you meet. Ask the Lord to begin to reveal His destiny for them, and pray for creative ways to help direct their steps toward Him as they continue on this journey of self-discovery. We need their gifts in the Kingdom, and we need yours!
We’d love to hear about your personal and creative journey! Please feel free to contact us and share your testimonies.
Marisa Fritzemeier has attended House of David since 2010. Over the years she has been honored to serve the house in various capacities. It has been her greatest privilege to join them on multiple trips to Israel and neighboring nations. Marisa spends much of her time working with children. She has a BFA in Theatre from Emporia State, and has spent much of her life dedicated to exploring various artistic mediums. She is passionate about developing art programing with Kingdom purposes. In her spare time, Marisa also works for a digital marketing team building websites and developing advertising for small businesses across the globe. It is her highest honor to know Yeshua as her personal savior, and it is with great joy that she serves Him daily.