Exodus 31:1-3 Then the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts.”

We tend not to think of things like skills and craft in relation to being filled with the Spirit of God, but here we have that expressed explicitly. Genesis 1:2 makes it clear that the Holy Spirit was involved in Creation, so why should it be surprising that He is involved in creativity? Actually, being able to create things that didn’t exist before is part of our being created in the image of God, (Genesis 1:27) but all too often that is perverted by a lack of submission to God. We can’t express our full potential without such submission, because we were created by God for God, so rebellion perverts the very reason for our existence. It is interesting that “creative types” often live in violation of God’s moral laws, but that just demonstrates that our enemy is a liar. True freedom – to create or to do anything else – comes only by and through the Holy Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:17)

This is something I’ve seen from various angles. Being fairly creative myself, with a very creative wife from a very creative family, I have associated with a vast number of of creative people. Those who have sought to serve the Lord with their lives, and specifically their creativity, have been at peace with themselves and the world, looking forward to the next day and the next challenge. Those who have been in rebellion against God have been bundles of conflicting emotions, generally unstable in all they did. That’s not to say that anyone has ever been perfectly in either camp; we are all fallen human beings who don’t seek God perfectly. However, that is clearly the pattern I have observed, and it certainly fits this passage. The list of abilities Bezalel had, and what he did with them, is nothing short of astounding, yet he is not the only “creative genius” mentioned in the Bible. Huram-Abi was likewise gifted at the time of the building of Solomon’s temple, as recorded in 1 Kings 7 and elsewhere. As a pastor, I am to be a good steward of my own creativity and I am to foster and encourage creativity in others. In every case, I am to strive to keep the focus on our Creator, because only then will His gifts be expressed to the blessing and satisfaction of all.

Father, thank You for this reminder, and for pointing out the Scriptural underpinnings of something I’ve tried to express to various people over the years. Keep me from personal pride at anything You have placed in me. Rather, help me encourage those around me to look to You and so recognize what You have placed in them. May this church be a body of people who recognize that they are gifted and rejoice to use those gifts creatively, in obedience to You and for the sake of Your kingdom and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!