This article belongs to Dr. C. I. and I have his permission to reproduce it here on this blog. More inspiring articles by Dr C. I. can be found on The Comfort Zone.
Fire Up Your Creativity
Matthew 25:13-30, Gen 6:8, Matt 3:8, James 2:18
Men and brethren, there is no creation without the act of creativity. No man can rise above the level of his imagination to be a creator. When you imagine what you desire, you will possess what you imagine. Therefore, the ability of making the simple awesomely simple is creativity. You are fired up in creativity when you become a doer of your creative thinking. In the Parable of the talent in Matthew 25:13-30, talent is the element of money. It is indeed unfortunate that the term “talent” means something very different today from what our Lord meant when He told this parable. The talent was the largest measurement of money in those days. Since a talent was actually a measurement of weight, it did not have a constant value. A talent of gold, for example, would be worth a whole lot more than a talent of bronze. While commentators differ somewhat over the approximate value of a talent in today’s economy, all would agree that it was a large amount of money. Some say that it was the equivalent to 20 years’ wages for a common labourer. We must remember, then, that a talent is a measure of money; it is not a reference to abilities. The talents were distributed on the basis of ability, not as the bestowing of ability. “And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey” Matthew 25:15
Right where you are, Heaven recognizes our different abilities; there are dimensions of creativity even while creativity is contagious, we are blessed by God based on our different abilities to influence and affect our generation. When you compare your gift with another you let your carnality to destroy your creativity because you cannot be jealous and creative at the same time. If God has given you one talent, thank God for it and move on. We should carefully note the outcome of faithful service, and of unfaithful service, in this parable. Faithful service led to increased responsibilities in the kingdom of heaven, and eternal joy in the presence of the Master, Jesus Christ. Unfaithful service led to condemnation, the removal of one’s stewardship, and an eternity of weeping and gnashing of teeth in outer darkness, away from the presence of our Lord. James 2:18
Men and brethren, in order to be truly creative, you should not be distracted by comparison with other people. Creativity begins when you invest, developed and bring to fruition what you do have within your power to do rather than to be distracted by the inconsistencies between you and others and what you don’t have. The birth of jealousy is when you start the mathematics of comparison. Genesis 6:8, Matthew 3:8. Many people have wasted the years of their life thinking that the goal of their life is to catch up with other people, never realizing that they are not to be compared with anyone. The master gave his servants an opportunity for increase. You are supposed to be excellent on your level. “And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability” Matthew 25:15. But we must remember before he gave it to us, we had none of it. Therefore, anything above zero is increase and we should be grateful for that.
There is nothing in the world as wonderful as to have been given an opportunity because miracle is preparation plus opportunity. Opportunities are matter of perception. You must have a revelation to see every moment as opportunity for increase. Opportunity will not walk up to you and say ‘Hello friend, I am an opportunity’ A lot of people are distracted by the comparison of life that they miss the opportunity before them. Opportunities are invisible and they often come before us in the form of opposition. The master assessed their level based on their abilities; he did not give them talent based on preference before he releases the opportunities. You too can get ahead by using creating thinking abilities to generate winning, innovative ideas.
By doing so, you will:
Number One: Struggle less and achieve more
Number Two: Distinguish yourself from the pack
Number Three: Increase your self-confidence
Number Four: Speed up your career advancement
Number Five: Increase your earning power
Number Six: Recognize and solve problems quicker and easier
Number Seven: Enjoy greater job satisfaction
Number Eight: Earn the respect of colleagues and managers
Number Nine: Enhance the spiritual as well as mental aspect of your life
Number Ten: Become a voice for innovation
Number Eleven: Make a difference
Now let us look at the ways you can be inspired to fire up your creativity as suggested by Amber:
Number One: Inspire yourself first.
“If you want to inspire the world, first inspire yourself,” Scooter Braun said. Learn the habits and rituals that fill your well and enable you to show up as your best.
Number Two: Create a habit of getting uncomfortable.
“You’re only growing when you’re playing out of your comfort zone,” Nick said. “To close the gap between where you are and what you envision requires discomfort.”
Number Three: Put away the digital devices.
Creativity doesn’t emerge from staring at your digital device. “Put the iPhone down,” said Jeremy Cowart. Look out the window and pay attention to the moment.
Number Four: Observe what works.
“Observations are key in connecting dots,” Lewis Howes said. Ask yourself, “Why do people like certain other businesses?” and “Why does that message inspire someone to act?”
Number Five: Change up your creative routine.
“Look outside of your industry and genre of art,” said Jeremy Cowart. “Take a break and get in a new space. Change your browser bookmarks and seek out new blogs, sites, inspiration.”
Number Six: Turn negatives into positives.
Identical twin sisters Coco and Breezy turned the negative effect of bullying into a successful eyeglass business worn by celebrities. “If you’re different, don’t be afraid to step outside of box,” they said.
Number Seven: Become a long term thinker.
Quddus Phillipe said, “In 60 years, what is going to be on your tombstone? What are people at your funeral going to say about you?” Think long term about the creative impact and message you’re living for.
Number Eight: Be here now.
“Find happiness in the moment you’re in right now” Tori Kelly said. Learn to be happy in the present moment instead of wishing you were somewhere else.
Finally, God knew what you can handle before he gave it to you. So he does not expect you to be excellent on a level you cannot handle. He has assessed your capacity to handle the opportunity before he release you the opportunity so he does not waste the five-blessing on a 2-man. Therefore, if you are a 2 capacity person with a 2 talent opportunity, all you have to do is to work it out. Stop trying to be responsible for what God gave other people, be responsible for what God gave you, and if you perceive it to be yours work it out at your level.
Concluding Prayer for Fire Up Your Creativity: Awesomely awesome God, I thank you for creating me. Thank you for the incredible gifts and talents you so generously delegated to me, I appreciate. Lord, may I develop these talents, always recognizing that they come from you and remain yours. Let me be fired up in creativity from today. You created me fearlessly, with great love, purpose and passion. Guide me in using them for the benefit of everyone that I touch, so that they may be more aware of your creative presence and develop the creativity entrusted to them for the good of others. Help me also to use my talents to bring a creative spark and new possibilities to my world. I decree, let the creative fire be awakened within me. I confess that I have a right to create, I am in the Flow of Divine Ideas and I shall flourish through my creativity in Jesus’ powerful name I pray, Amen.
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