The gift of creativity is a blessing often taken for granted in the Church. As an artist, you are expected to use your talents to glorify God without any regard for the energy that goes into preparation and delivery. Marissa Coloma, Creative Arts Pastor at Harbor Christian Center, knows a thing or two about the silent battles creatives endure. Such is the reason why she wrote When Creatives Create: Releasing Heaven Through Your Creative Expression. This book gives insight into what it truly means to create with God, which is more than a catchy phrase.Â
Altar-Builders vs. Idol-Makers
One theme that runs throughout When Creatives Create is the notion of altar-builders versus idol-makers. Marissa holds that altar-builders are creatives who understand that their gifts are meant to impact the world in a positive manner and, in knowing this, advance the Kingdom of God in the Earth. Meanwhile, idol-makers are those who have amazing talents that are not used to glorify God.
The average idol-makers center themselves and work overtime to advance their careers for vain purposes, according to Coloma. Altar-builders want to take the focus off themselves and use their talents to shed light on the goodness of God. You cannot be an idol-maker and altar-builder at the same time, Marissa makes clear. You as a creative must intentionally choose to surrender your gifts to God for His use on a daily basis.
No Flies In The Bowl
In chapter six of When Creatives Create, Marissa Coloma shares a vision God gave her while she was heading to work as the Creative Arts Pastor of Harbor Christian Center. In the vision, the city of Los Angeles was in a fish bowl. God’s glory, according to Marissa, filled the bowl in ways she could not fully describe. But then, flies made their way into the bowl and the beautiful sight became ugly. Coloma believes this vision was given to her as an illustration of what happens when sin is allowed in the life of the creative.Â
The imagery Coloma creates when describing the fish bowl and subsequent invasion of flies is quite remarkable. The reader can get a glimpse of the vision God gave the author in their minds because of the incredible word choices Coloma uses in her writing.
Rest and Recover
A book about creativity typically encourages the reader to take into account their dreams, make an actionable plan, and execute their desires. Coloma, however, takes a different approach by advocating for rest.
The author takes several pages to explain the meaning of Sabbath and why the practice is essential for creatives. She does not shy away from her philosophy of busyness being a sign of not trusting God. Those who are always trying to make things happen, according to Marissa, are not fully surrendered to the will of God. Creatives who take a day to rest and recover, however, understand that their successes are dependent on doing things God’s way. And Sabbath is a commandment from God, Coloma makes clear.
For The Creative’s Heart
It is refreshing to read a book that does not keep the notion of creativity to musicianship, painting, or writing. Marissa Coloma stresses that everyone, in some form, is a creative individual at heart. When Creatives Create: Releasing Heaven Through Your Creative Expression is a good read for anyone and an excellent choice for musicians and media specialists.