Are You Letting God Guide Your Creativity?

What does it actually mean to co-create with God?

Those of us who were around New Age beliefs or just mainstream pop culture are probably familiar with the phrase “co-creating with the Universe.” “Manifesting,” in other words. As Christians, we know that the universe is a creation of God – the universe is not God. If we open ourselves to co-creating with the “universe,” we are actually opening ourselves spiritually to evil. God, in his loving care, specifically commands us not to do this, to not make gods/idols out of things other than him. He created the world to operate this way and unfortunately, we can open evil “doors” to the spirit world without having the intent to do so - people with good intentions end up opening their life to negative spiritual influence. They seek to improve their life through manifestation, but instead, invite in a host of bad guests that deter their growth and distance them from the true God, who loves them so deeply and purely.

So, is co-creation an idea that we should chuck out the window? Is it something reserved only for misled New Agers or visionboard-hungry idealists?
Like so many concepts in New Age (which isn’t new at all), co-creating has its true roots in a loving relationship with God. God is by his nature a creator and a lover, and he created us in his image and likeness (Genesis 1:26). That means we were created to create and created to love. This is apparent in the Garden of Eden; we were created to be loved by God and to love him back.

Combining these Christian facts, we can open ourselves up to God and pray:
“Heavenly Father, you are perfect and amazing. I want to live with you and in you and never be separate from you…I welcome you into my efforts so that I can engage with You in creation.”

We can, and should, invite him into our creative efforts! We can invite him into our work, our play, our relationships, our dreams and hopes. We ought to give him all of our life, knowing he takes perfect care of us and leads us perfectly! There is some element of surrender to this, especially compared to the New Age version where we are mini-gods. In this Christian reality of co-creating with God, we are humbled by our littleness – we are like children: nearsighted, unaware of the big picture, and oh-so-limited. We know that God is the ultimate good and we need him for us to also be good. Co-creating does not mean equal in power, like it does in New Age beliefs. But relationships are not about power to God anyways. It’s about love.

What else could this process be called but co-creating? Same phrase, very different meaning, depending on the belief system. How blessed we are to unite our talents and effort to him and let him carry us! To trust him fully with our most beautiful parts and most daring desires and visions. What could go wrong? How could we be misled? Take a moment and think about what life could be like if you fully trusted God with your creativity – whether it is artistic or intellectual or athletic. The list is endless. How would your life be different? What choices would you make and follow through with?

There is no part of our work as humans that cannot benefit from God’s guidance and wisdom.
So try it today.
Start small.
Say a little prayer.
Let him know that you want his help, you want him to be your most trusted business partner or creative sounding board.
Then…take action.

Do something, doesn’t matter how small, and put it out there to the world, or your small corner. Give it to God, knowing that only he sees the true fruitfulness of your work. For a small moment, be like a young child who makes a play scene out of sticks and feathers, grasses and leaves, who proudly shows it to their loving father – and, knowing it is in good hands, moves joyfully to the next childish creation in play. May we, too, experience the freedom to create without fear of failure, without concern for value. May we create and work and love like the child of God that we are, safe in his care and loved endlessly.

Amen!