The Story of With has proven a rescue for the hearts of countless creatives. The allegory is part Alice in Wonderland, part The Matrix, and all invitation to experience a better way to live, love, and create with God.

We can limit our creative potential by limiting how we see ourselves.

Creatives often find themselves stuck, not from a lack of ideas but because they keep getting distracted by the next bright, shiny possibility. They aren’t sure where to focus. So they dream big but do little. They dabble in many things yet never slow down to go deep and fully master one thing.

In these daily readings, the focus is on God, story, and creativity.

From the beginning, the enemy has tried to use chaos against the Creator and creation. Today, he also opposes us and our creativity. I’m convinced chaos is fueled by the enemy’s intense hatred for all who are trying to bring life and light into the world.

You. Are. Creative.

What is your first reaction to those three words? Is it something like, “Creative? I’m not creative.” Or, “You’ve got to be kidding. My creativity isn’t valuable or worth fighting for. No one even notices it.”

Imagine being given a creative project that would honor God, had an unlimited budget, that would inspire others in the moment, and that people would still be talking about centuries later.

In the book of Exodus, we’re given a glimpse into how God infuses people with creativity.

Have you ever heard of Bezalel? His name isn’t likely to make the short list of best baby names. But perhaps it should. The name means “in the protection or shadow of God.” Moses wrote that God called Bezalel, who was of the tribe of Judah, by name and then filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and in all craftsmanship.

Now that we know what chaos is made of, let’s see what we’re made of.

In what Scripture calls “the last days” (which feels a lot like these days), God says: I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. (Acts 2:17 NIV)

God wants to show us how to overcome chaos. And he does so in ways that are never quite the same as the time before.

God opposes chaos. Not some of the time. But every time it tries to strike.

The void continuously tries to overcome us. But in every clash, God overcomes

On the seventh day, God rested. But what does that mean? He wasn’t exhausted. God didn’t work up a sweat. He could have created every day for millions of years and never repeated himself. Every day another new creation. .

Listen to this powerful request the psalmist makes to God:

God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. (Psalm 51:10 MSG)

Some approach the creative process like a painter splashing buckets of paint on a canvas and hoping for beauty. That’s not purposeful creativity. It’s random chao

Humans aren’t the creators of creativity. Nor is creativity a rare gift limited to an elite class of artists.

But it sure can feel like it.  

Your dreams and creativity are opposed. Have you ever wondered why…or do you just blame yourself for some form of lack when it comes to your age, stage, degree, free time, or connections?

Quick...who is the top creative in your field? 

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Here’s how God describes his relationship to us: I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters. (2 Corinthians 6:18)

I grew up believing those in top leadership roles got there through their proven courage, wisdom, humility, and integrity. If only that were true.