When Creativity and Faith Collide

While watching the final scenes of 2005's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory last week, I was reminded of an exchange between Willy Wonka and Charlie. Wonka's candy isn't selling so well, so he returns to Charlie after the boy turned down ownership of the chocolate factory (Wonka wouldn't allow Charlie's family to come with him).

Charlie asks Willy, "What do you have against my family?" Wonka replies, "It’s not just your family. It’s the whole idea of. . . You know, they’re always telling you what to do, what not to do, and it’s not conducive to a creative atmosphere." Like Wonka, artists don't want interference from anyone or anything that could inhibit creativity. But as Christians, when faith and creativity collide, we must allow God into the creative process.

Creative types like me are dazzled by new opportunities to write, compose, record, etc., and many times find ourselves overwhelmed with too many ideas from which to choose. These ideas can be good and noble ones, but we must ask ourselves:  How will this creative idea serve the Kingdom? To what will I most wisely and effectively give my creative energies and resources?

The reality is, I have limited time, resources and audience, so I must ask God for inspiration and direction. This requires discipline and trust, and it has much to do with focusing my energies only on God-ordained assignments. How do we know the difference between God-ordained and me-ordained? It's always good to seek wise counsel from others, pray and study the Word. Sometimes it's an inner witness of the Holy Spirit that keeps us moving forward on an idea. In any event, faith will always be a part of our journey as believers.

If we let God be Lord of our artistic endeavors, He will certainly bring us opportunities in the new year to express ourselves in ways that glorify Him. After all, isn't that what art is all about?