The ancient narrative of Genesis affirms that we were created in the image of God, who is the ultimate artist (Gen. 1:27) We were made for creativity and freedom, to be collaborators with God in the ongoing work of creation. Our creativity and freedom are often blocked by dark imaginations and the shadows of selfish will. If we were made to work on the open canvas of creation, we have too often exchanged that canvas for a coloring book, assuming that is all comes down to whether we color inside or outside the lines. What if our true destiny is to flow with the freedom of the Creator, painting a life of goodness and beauty on the canvas of Earth and eternity? Paul of Tarsus wrote, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (II Corinthinans 3:17) We are invited to tap into the Spirit of Yahweh for the recovery of our creative potential.

Some would say that the highest form of creative expression is the capacity to live artfully. Through the freedom of his being, Jesus shows us the generative path of an artist, as one who approached life with sensitivity, compassion, and imagination. An artist, in the broad sense used here, is someone who, with acute skill and ingenuity, uses the tools of language and symbol to express and explore meaning and identity within a community. Employing the raw materials of Earth, humanity, and culture, Jesus collaborated with the creative and redemptive energy of the reign of God. We can learn to follow the path of an artist by adopting practices inspired by his example.

– from Soul Graffiti by Mark Scandrette