The Three "C's"

"Creativity takes Courage." Henri Matisse

I read a chapter on creativity in the book written by Nancy Beach, "An Hour On Sunday." This book is created for those on the production teams for Sunday morning worship services in the Christian church. (Great book!)

Nancy has observed that the creative person has three significant traits:

• Confidence
• Curiosity
• Courage

All three must work in harmony in order for one to live fully into their creative life. If you are missing one of these traits, your creativity will not flourish.


Confidence is having trust that you can be creative. It's realizing that the Holy Spirit already knows the "answer" or "solution" or "design" to the situation. Our job is to ask for His guidance, and be open to hearing His voice to receive what He has for us.


Curiosity is the ability to slow down enough to observe the world around you. When out for a walk you point out neat things, like a toadstool growing in the grass, or pulling your car over at the sight of a sunset. Maybe even laying on your belly in the wet grass attempting to capture the perfect drop of water on a single blade of grass. Curiosity is asking "why?" Traveling, going to shows, getting together with friends, doing something out of the ordinary spurs our curiosity. (A home-body like myself was really convicted by this one!)



Courage is taking the step to move forward with your creative ideas. Often we are scared of what others may say or think. We've been hurt before so we figure, "why bother?" Or we are afraid to take the risk. It could mean a financial struggle if it falls through? We're not sure, but we're not brave enough to even try.



Here's the deal: We may have a fabulous idea that we feel originated in God's mind ~ next, we curiously explore that idea and develop it ~ then we courageously move forward with it and the excitement begins as we watch to see what happens...Sure, it could be a flop...but it could also be a huge hit! You'll never know until you try...



So, out of the three areas of creativity listed above, which is your strong point? Which could use a little nurturing? For me, I'm a hugely curious person. I always have to know "why?" and I enjoying stopping to take a closer look at silly things like toadstools. I'm amazed by them!



Curiosity is my strong point. Now, I need a LOT of nurturing in the courage-area. I'm a chicken. In fact, I know my lack of courage is holding me back from living into the creativity God's given me. So, I've begun to sit with that before God - asking Him why (see, there it is!) I have that tendency and then I surrender it to Him. Every time I do this (which is a lot) I feel released from the burden and I feel my courage growing little by little.


I believe God longs for us to create beauty, to develop the creative gifts He's given each of us. But often we put little or no value on our personal creativity. I feel this saddens the heart of God. He created us in His Image. If we ignore our creativity, we are ignoring a magnificent facet of the image of God in us.


What do you need to nurture your confidence, curiosity and courage? How can Vertical Creativity encourage your creative journey?


grace & peace ~ deAnn