Creating from Nothing

In cleaning a bit today, I found a note written during some sermon or other. The point being made was that, as we learn to give- of our time, our money, our energy- God gives us the ability to give more. I’m sure this was being said in reference to tithing, however, my overwhelmed artist mind dashed to my creative efforts.

If you’ve ever suffered from depression, you’ll understand what I mean when I say it takes all of your creative energy. All of your decision making energy, even your energy to feel.

If you are a creative, you’ll understand what a drain creating can be. How it pulls away your inner energy, your being, your sense of peace. It pulls it in a beautiful way, pulling your soul from your inner self and arranging it onto your canvas, whatever that may be. When I feel the old humbug of depression loitering around my heart, it feels to me that creating anything would pull the rest of my soul energy from my body and I would disappear. It would hurt.

When I saw my notes this morning, I thought, what if it were true…can God replenish, repour that soul-energy? I know He can, He does, but He always poured from a store that I no longer have access to. These words make me wonder, if I give a little, will He give me the capacity to give more?

I believe the answer is emphatically yes.

Start by doing one small thing. One small sketch on a corner of notebook paper. One line of poetry. When creative thoughts dance among the shadows, grab just one. Write it down. Then, when things are fuller, richer, allow the small efforts to swirl into a beautiful change, a work of art, a work of love, a work of the soul.

This year, perhaps my new year’s resolution will be to listen to God more. To know when He is re-pouring into my soul, and to honor that. I can’t wait to see what God is about to do!