God spoke: “Earth, green up! Grow all varieties of seed-bearing plants,
Every sort of fruit-bearing tree.” And there it was.
Earth produced green seed-bearing plants, all varieties,
And fruit-bearing trees of all sorts.
God saw that it was good.
God spoke: “Swarm, Ocean, with fish and all sea life!
Birds, fly through the sky over Earth!”
God created the huge whales,
all the swarm of life in the waters,
And every kind and species of flying birds.
God saw that it was good.
God blessed them: “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Ocean!
Birds, reproduce on Earth!”
God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image,
Make them reflecting our nature
So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,
the birds in the air, the cattle,
And, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.
Taken from Genesis 1 ~ The Message
Many seem to get stuck in a rut of exposing themselves to only certain genres of music, theater (live performance), film, art, etc. The fact is, God is indescribably creative and unimaginably multifaceted. I’ve lived in the “creative” world for some many years now, yet I do not grow weary of the many times we as humble human beings tap into the creative nature of God in what we do every day. This past weekend I had the pleasure of traveling to New York City with a wonderful friend of mine (BJ Davis, Producer). Though it was not my first visit to the greater NYC area, I remained in awe of how the singers, musicians, writers, performers, producers, etc. tapped into the creative nature that God put into place from the beginning of time. It’s God’s creative nature, whether those individuals realize it or not.
Maybe you prefer easy listening, reggae, country, southern gospel, or even metal. The fact is, life isn’t a certain style or rhythm, it’s a collage of multiple colors (people, nature, etc.), shapes, sounds, words (lyrics). I believe it to be a detriment when individuals aren’t willing to reach beyond their places of comfort and experience something different — sometimes, something WAY different. It’s true how the “enemy” (Satan) can take things and create a perverse version of them, but there still remains a wide array of amazingly creative and wonderful things in life that we as human beings allow to slip right by.
If you were to hide in my car any given day during my commute to and from my office, you would hear a variety of musical styles pumping from my iPod. I have many (and I mean many) types of music on my iPod (umm, except for “gangsta rap” — no thank you). Somewhat regularly, I try to find and listen to something different to keep horizons broad and stretched – outside my typical boundaries. Why? To keep things fresh and to continue stretching me as a musician, producer, creative-mind and, frankly, as a human being. God’s creative nature is much, much larger than we ever allow ourselves to experience.
So, you think you have a wide variety of genres of music and such that you enjoy and expose yourself to? Check out this link, just to be sure. You might be surprised by what all remains “out there” for you to explore!!!
I had a brother who did musical theater, a brother who is now a high school band director, my mom was the church pianist and organist, I have relatives who are southern gospel singers, my best friend scores films, my daughters love the music of The Rubyz and Paige Armstrong. I’ve been blessed to have been surrounded by people from many different genres of music. But, I haven’t allowed myself to stop there — I continue to explore the many avenues of music, dance, art, etc. available to me. I challenge you to do the same!
Laura Story described mankind’s view of God’s creative nature so well when she penned the song “Indescribable”:
From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation’s revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaimingIndescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing GodWho has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathomINDESCRIBABLE
Words and Music by Laura Story
© 2004 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Gleaning Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
So, you don’t know much about musical theatre, art, opera, ballet, reggae, etc? Google it and broaden your horizons. Challenge your personal status quo and… Look. Listen. Live.
Luke Gambill 