“In the beginning, God created…” - Genesis 1:1
These opening words of Scripture point us to a Creator whose domain stands beyond the boundaries of time, space, and existence itself, a God who speaks everything into being, creating “what is seen” from that which is not visible (Hebrews 11:3). All the extravagant beauty of nature, all the intricate structure of the microcosm and the macrocosm, all the detailed and complex qualities of everything living thing, He conceives of and brings into existence with a word. The resulting creation carries the mark of its Creator, telling us things about Him that we can clearly surmise as we observe all that is around us. The Apostle Paul in Romans 1:20 declares that “since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.”
To me, creation at every turn does indeed speak of God’s eternal power and divinity, but it also powerfully attests to the infinitely creative nature of God, of an artistry and craftsmanship that is beyond our ability to comprehend. In my lifetime, I have had the wonderful opportunity to see the works of Michelangelo, Da Vinci, and Rembrandt, to listen to excellent musicians perform the works of Beethoven, Bach, and Handel, and to stand inside cathedrals designed by Wren and Brunelleschi, but I have yet to be as impressed as I am when I gaze upon and consider the endlessly elaborate glory of the created order. I’m left speechless and in absolute awe of One whose brilliance and ability are on such superabundant display.
In his doxology in Ephesians 3:20-21, Paul emphasizes the creative ability of God (italics are mine):
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Look at this one phrase— “to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think.” To parse it out Paul is saying that if we take into consideration all that we could possibly ask for or conceive of—even the greatest, most ingenious, most boundlessly imaginative of the entire human race—God’s ability “to do” surpasses it on an “exceedingly abundantly” scale.
Beyond leaving us in awe, God’s creative nature should inspire us, particularly when we see the spark of creativity in ourselves and others. From a biblical perspective, our ability, propensity, and drive to create is evidence of the imago dei, the image of the Creator that resides in each human being, according to Genesis 1:26-27. Despite our tendency to mar the image of God within us as we think and act in ways that don’t align with His will, the spark is still there, such that even those who are “far off” can create, design, and build in ways that surprise and astound us.
God’s creative ability should also encourage us, especially when we consider Paul’s addition of the phrase “according to the power that works in us” in the aforementioned passage. I’m reminded by this statement that God’s creativity is not limited to the vast and colossal realm of the cosmos, but rather that God’s ability “to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think” is active in the realm of my own personal life and existence.
When we consider the difficulties that life can throw at us—sometimes through our own decisions but much more often merely through the circumstances of life—it is deeply encouraging to know that there is a God of infinite creative capacity and ability who can view our lives from a broader perspective and smooth out and straighten our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). This is the God of whom David says in Psalm 139,
O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down;
You are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
Behold, O Lord, you know it altogether…
… All the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139: 1-4, 16)
This is the God who knows you intimately—better than you know yourself—and who loves you unconditionally. I pray that you’ll remember this when you observe God’s created brilliance and beauty in the world around you, and that His creativity will bring you hope.
Dr. Scott Guffin, originally from Gardendale, Alabama, and an alumnus of Samford University, currently holds the position of Assistant Professor and Executive Director of Christian Ministry at Samford University. With more than 30 years of experience in ministry across different capacities, his interests lie in preaching, teaching, disciple-making, and missions. Dr. Guffin dedicates his focus at Samford towards motivating and equipping students for meaningful ministry and mission endeavors. He has been married to Beth Bush Guffin since 1989, and they have two grown, married children, and one grandchild. In his spare time, he enjoys college football and being outdoors.
