Creatives and Their Creator
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” — Revelation 21:5
For the longest time it was a mystery to me why popular artists wouldn’t be as excited as the fans to talk about their famous works from years past. Rather, they would go on to radio or late-night talk shows and be so genuinely excited about their latest song, show or movie. They would even seem a little offended when the interviewer spent more time talking about their classic role or album than their upcoming work.
Now that I’m writing on a more regular basis, I get it. For the Creative, the “new” usually involves a season of obsession, thought, energy, and work. To create something new takes the proverbial or literal turning of the page. That old season of obsession into a character or idea that sparks a song, book or article is over. They’ve moved on. They have to because it may lead to a complete breakdown to hold all of those emotions and thoughts in their body at once.
God is all about what is “new”! In fact, He is the Agent that will eventually “make all things new.” Much like the Creative, the Creator is focused on what He is currently doing and what is to come. Much like the talk show host, we might be too focused on what He has already done. How could He ever top that!? Now this is not to say that we shouldn’t look back on the marvelous works of God and His grace to us in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ. But we should look at these works as a precursor to what is to come. Look at Jesus’s own words in John:
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. — John 16:7
Jesus was promising something better to come. His miracles, His sacrifice, His resurrection — something better than these things. This promise was fulfilled in the Holy Spirit, which was a promise made several hundred years prior.
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, — Jeremiah 31:31
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. — Ezekiel 36:26
A Creative can’t wait until someone interacts with their image or thoughts, ponders their lyrics, or is moved by their performance. There is a bit of anguish and restlessness that Creatives feel in that in-between season where it goes from idea to interaction. The anguish is there because it is more than an idea. It is a promise. With each new creation a promise is attached, that this work will change things. That it will transform lives in some way for the better. It will redeem creation itself.
This anguish and restlessness is Creation’s as well and the Creative’s.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. — Romans 8:18–22
What a beautifully mysterious passage. Creation holds on to a promise of an idea by the Creator, that something new and better is coming. Never failing. Never fading. Forever New. Oh, what a promise!? But it is not only for the air, our oceans or plants or animals. No, it is for us as well.
And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. — Romans 8:23
I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’ — Revelation 2:17
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. — John 14:3
That longing for new: where do you think that comes from? It comes from deep within us. An idea that we are not as we ought to be. A promise given to us that something better is coming. A new us.
What is your name? Not your legal name, but the identity that you hold on to. The deep dark one that follows you around like an un-welcomed guest. Failure. Anxious. Stupid. Drunk. Lustful. Gossip. Toxic. Bitter. Victim. No matter how much you try to shake it, it is there.
What an idea and promise God has for those who are in Him!? He will make us new! A new identity. A new name. Never failing. Never fading. Forever New Name.
Also there is a new home. A place that is perfect. A perfect Creation with our Perfect Creator. The fullness of His presence all the time! His goodness, peace, love, joy. Always and Forever.
The excitement that I feel at the potential of this article redeeming God’s created order in some way, pales infinitely by comparison to God’s excitement to make all things new.
To the Creative:
I hope this piece has made you stop and realize that your abilities and peculiarities are not by accident. They were placed in you by your Creator. He so desires to give you a new heart, new spirit, making a new promise for a new name and new home. He holds His return and the culmination of this promise for one reason:
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. — 2 Peter 3:9
Trust and Turn to Him today.
To the Christian Creative:
Much of our gifts and abilities are maligned in the service of the Kingdom. Know this, the imprint of the Creator is so well defined on your spirit. You are more like Him than you believe. Keep creating. Keep agonizing over your thoughts and emotions until they are out on paper or song sheet or stage. Keep making your audience feel and think and change. Keep redeeming Creation in your finite way, as you await the Day when the Lord will redeem it completely and forever.
