Creativity with the Creator: How to use your gifts for the glory of God

From the beginning of time, humans have been endowed with creative gifts eager to reflect the creativity of our creator God. That’s the argument contained in this concise and insightful guide to Christian creativity, Creativity with the Creator by Maxine Harrison.

The book begins by highlighting biblical examples of God’s creative nature. From designing the flowers in the field, to imparting architectural skills to Bezalel in Exodus 31, and most profoundly, creating humanity, God reveals himself as the ultimate creator. 

Drawing from her own childhood experiences, Harrison explores how God plants seeds along the way to encourage our creativity and places his blessing on those talents to be used for his glory. While it is natural to seek inspiration from other creatives for ideas and inspiration, Harrison reminds readers that the first step should always be to turn to our maker. The Bible provides abundant examples of God’s creativity - from the poetic worship of the Psalms to the storytelling of Jesus’ parables - each demonstrating his creativity, which we are invited to emulate. This creativity is fully realised in God’s redemption plan, as he supernaturally replaces hearts of stone with hearts belonging to him that are willing to serve. 

The book offers various practical pieces of advice, including Harrison’s emphasis on the importance of reading scripture, as it is the primary way God speaks to us.

Harrison explores working as a creative both in Christian circles and in the secular world. She challenges the reader to view every opportunity as a chance to point others to God, urging them to uphold biblical principles in all their work, not conforming to the patterns of the world. I was particularly struck by Harrison’s observation: “Making excellent creations opens a door for people to applaud your work and question your motivation. This is where you point back to God.” The author also reminds readers to approach creative success with humility, always honouring our maker for any achievements. 

In addressing the Church’s handling of creativity, Harrison discusses a common oversight: while musical creativity is often celebrated, other forms - such as content creation are sometimes neglected. This can result in untapped potential, which could elevate the quality of church activities and their content. Producing high quality creativity in every area reflects a commitment to God and a genuine desire to produce the best work for his kingdom. The author challenges readers to consider: if we truly care about our mission for God, why wouldn’t we give our best effort? In our workplaces, mediocrity is rarely acceptable - so why should second-best be the norm in the Church? 

The book addresses the common struggle of creative block, offering practical suggestions for moving forward. It also reframes the standstill as a divine pause, signaling the need to refocus or redirect efforts, and suggests that sometimes stepping back can reveal God’s bigger picture and new ways to move forward. Her reminder is to be faithful in the little as this can build a reputation of trust for future larger projects. 

Harrison’s conventional style makes readers feel as if they are sitting with the author in an informal group session, learning how to use creativity effectively while honouring God in the results. This heavenward focus is especially evident in the conclusion, which features short prayers for various creative circumstances. These prayers redirect attention back to God, emphasising that communicating with him is an essential part of the creative process. Overall, the idea that every person carries a small reflection of God’s creativity is truly awe-inspiring.

Creativity with the Creator: Including God in Your Creative Process by Maxine Harrison is out now