Hi Everyone,
I've had a couple of requests for the devotion I did on Tuesday night, so here it is.
1 Peter 4 (New International Version)
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
In reading this scripture in the context of a creative ministry - such as we are - I’m struck by a couple of thoughts.
Firstly, that we should use our spiritual gifts to further the kingdom. God has made us as creative people, so as Christians we should be seeking areas to put that to use, that is if we dance, then dance for God.
But in this context Peter could also be talking about service as something personal. “Serving others” directly rather than through service to the church. This is relatively straightforward if you have the gift of hospitality or generosity, but how do I serve people by being able to frame a camera shot correctly?
The fact is that I have to look at my gift in the context of evangelism. Francis mentioned that God is creative, and so must we be. Every person in the congregation is wired differently, and respond to different things, just as we do. Some respond to the teaching. Some respond to the worship. But some can be reached through any of the creative ministries.
When I first started attending Riverview, I was only really interested in the teaching. It appealed to my intellectual nature. Then I noticed the media element to the services – videos and cameras and things – which appealed to my creative side. Worship didn’t really grab me, and paintings and dances I could take or leave. At some point though, I realised that all of these things were authentic expressions of adoration of God, and that just as the media had appealed to me, these other aspects of the church would appeal to others.
So I realise now that my standing on stage filming the drum kit is, in some small way, contributing to bringing people into that place where they can meet God. And each one of us and our ‘small things’ when combined together and given over to God, can produce the miraculous.
By serving diligently, seeking excellence and worshiping God in the use of our spiritual gifts, we can show others just how glorious He is. Through dance, or painting, or muffins, or even camera shots, there will be someone in the crowd whose heart sings at that moment, and that’s where the Holy Spirit moves.
So I will continue to push my skills, keep the temperature up on my worshipful attitude when I serve, and above all remember that creativity is God’s gift to us, and that I should not take it for granted.
