Christians are good people. Christians are humble. Christians are the loving lots.
But Christians and creative? Ouch!
Rarely do I hear Christians being slotted into the creative category. It is really sad that a label having a ‘Christian’ prefix is often perceived to be second rate– whether it is Christian movies, Christian apparel or Christian music.
I always wonder why?
The YouVersion– A story that stands out!
Am sure you must have heard of YouVersion. Now this is a Christian brand that stands out in terms of innovation. A free Bible app 
h for iPone, iPad, Android, Blackberry and computer, it has reached 100 million installs today (before its 5th anniversary on July 10). Now that’s a phenomenal milestone!
The Bible app, for the third year in a row, has been ranked in the top 100 Free apps for iPhone on Apple’s “Best of” list. Because of YouVersion people around the world are engaging with God’s Word like never before and not to forget the massive sharing of verses that takes place on social media.
And someone said they were surprised that a church created the best Bible app!
Follow or lead?
We serve a God who is THE maestro in creativity. Take a look around and you will see all creation proclaiming the wonders of His hand. I feel the church/ believers, should be the leaders in creativity and innovation, but irritatingly it is not so. We are content to sit back and follow what the world puts before us, rather than leading the way.
Get Creative, 5 Pointers!
1. Ask God
If you think you lack wisdom, ideas or creativity, ask God! He still goes by the name Jehovah Jireh. Not only is He Jehovah Jireh, but, as I always say, He is ‘Jehovah Extraaa-Jireh’, who does far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us (Eph 3:20–21). Also, the more sensitive you are to the Holy Spirit, the more creative you will be (ClicktoTweet).
2. Cut out the routine
Whether it is in your office, house, church or ministry–gear your mind to think differently. If you do the same things the same way, you will always get the same result. In the words of Craig Groeschel, senior pastor for LifeChurch.tv (Okla.), which developed the YouVersion app, “When you can learn to think differently, you can become what God has intended you to be and innovate.” LifeChurch.tv is known for taking unconventional approaches to ministry by developing technology and leveraging web-based tools to share the Gospel.
3. It is ok if you fail
Do you know that YouVersion bible app was supposed to be a website where people share socially and engage with the word? But it failed miserably. When it was planned to be launched as an app, there were not many who were excited about it. People jeered saying, “Bible is a book. It is meant to be read as a book. How can you bring it on the cellphone? But we all know what happened next. Never be scared or ashamed of your failures. It will only get better. Also, every God-idea will have not many takers. If you receiving opposition or discouragement, that’s a good indication that you may be on the right track.
4. Constraints? Congrats!
Is God leading you to do something for your church or ministry and you don’t have the required resources? Congrats! Constraints are the breeding ground for innovation. They help your mind to think out-of-the box. Remember the story of the four friends who wanted Jesus to heal their paralytic friend? When everything went against them, who would have thought they would break open the roof to reach Jesus? Had they not done so, their friend would have missed his healing.
4. What’s your purpose?
I was impressed by the words of Craig in the recently concluded Hillsong Conference. He says: Every believer goes through 3 stages of growth in life. First, you begin doing things with the intention to build your name because you think you are good and hence everyone else in your line is your enemy. Next stage is when you realize you are doing things to make a difference into the lives of people, and you are open to work as a team. You now think ‘we are good’ or “our church or ministry is good” and everyone else who is not a part of you is your competitor. It is time you reach the third stage, where you will know that your enemy is not anyone else, but satan. You soon realize there is no one good except for God and that is when you become a history maker and you are ready shake the world for Jesus. Whatever you do, let your purpose be God’s glory alone. Aim to be a history maker.
Creativity in a Christian should be a routine and not a rare exception. It’s time we break out of our comfort shell and fly high for Jesus. (ClicktoTweet) Are you with me?