I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom and skill, in understanding and intelligence,
in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship... (Exodus 31:3-5 AMP)
Recently I watched a documentary on the band Chicago. By the time I was old enough to pay attention to pop music, they were a “ballad band” whose music I liked. I knew several of their older songs and loved the horn parts (sax, trombone, and trumpet) that helped give them their signature sound. I did not know much of their personal history, though, until watching this film. The original members formed the band in 1967 and traveled extensively giving concerts. Their first manager stole almost all their profits, a band member had accidentally killed himself, and they had done a LOT of drugs “back in the day.” Although there has been some turnover in musicians, four of the original seven members are still playing music with the band – almost 60 years later!! I have a great deal of respect for them as musicians and for their longevity in a notoriously fickle industry.
I don’t know why I was surprised by the fact that they all admitted to having plenty of money and opportunity to do an abundance of very hard drugs. In my mind I knew that many of the bands and other musicians of the late 1960’s and 1970’s had participated in the “drug culture” of the era. In college I took a class where the teacher gave us a list of all those who had died of drugs, including Elvis, Janis Joplin, Jimmy Hendrix, Jim Morrison of The Doors, and individuals from The Who and The Rolling Stones. Unfortunately, the list doesn’t end there. The use of opium, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and narcotics to escape from pain of various kinds, to seek some sort of “experience,” or to just help one fit in with the crowd has a history dating back millennia. As the writer of Ecclesiastes said, “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already in the ages before us. (Ecclesiastes 1:9-10 ESV)
I suppose I was taken aback by the former drug use of the band Chicago because I admire and respect their music writing and arranging and it seems so strange to be “under the influence” when creating. Perhaps because I’ve never tried any of these substances, I have no idea what an “experience” of them would be, but I know what my “experience” of God is when I am creating things. I know what it feels like to have “euphoria” because I am standing in the Holy Spirit’s flow of creativity. I know that God’s river of creativity within me is a place where God’s Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love – among other things – are released. I know that no physical drug will give me the comfort or the “high” of knowing that I am a child of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, that he has called me by name and I am his, and that my life sheltered by his wings of protection. I believe that famous Christian music creators like King David, J. S. Bach, Fannie Crosby, Charles Wesley, Michael W. Smith, Michael Card, Matt Redman, and Chris Tomlin were and are not only aware of or influenced by, but truly knew/know what it means to CREATE out of the leading, guidance, and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
My hope and prayer is that all who create music, drama, dance, visual art, and so much more will know God and tap into their identity in Christ and the fullness of the abundant gifts God has for them.
Creating God,
Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive the glory, honor, and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they exist, and were created and brought into being. You who formed the mountains and creates the wind are the Lord of Hosts. We thank you that, in Christ, we are your workmanship, a master work of art, created in Christ Jesus for good works which you prepared for us beforehand so that we would live the good life which you made ready for us. Thank you for creating us in your image and then giving us your Spirit, wisdom, and skill so we, too can be creators. Today we pray for all those whose life works are to create – whether in music or other arts, engineering or architecture, writing or media, education or business. May your Spirit inhabit their hearts and minds so that what they create is godly and builds up others. May you give them hearts to seek your Kingdom’s righteousness, peace, and joy, instead of the falseness of the enemy of our souls. Protect them from addictions, pride, self-centeredness, and all other temptations. Give them hearts for you and you alone so that their creativity can be dedicated to sharing Truth, Beauty, Goodness, and Life. May this generation and generations to come be people who were created to praise the Lord, we ask in Jesus’s name, AMEN.
Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine. (Isaiah 43:1 ESV)
He will cover you and completely protect you with His pinions,
And under His wings you will find refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and a wall. (Psalm 91:4 AMP)
God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him;
male and female He created them. (Genesis 1:27 AMP)
Let this be recorded for the generation to come, That a people yet to be created will praise the Lord.
(Psalm 102:18 AMP)
For behold, He who forms the mountains and creates the wind
And declares to man what are His thoughts,
He who makes the dawn into darkness
And treads on the heights of the earth—
The Lord God of hosts is His name. (Amos 4:13 AMP)
For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]. (Ephesians 2:10 AMP)
“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power;
for You created all things, and because of Your will they exist,
and were created and brought into being.” (Revelation 4:11 AMP)
I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom and skill, in understanding and intelligence,
in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to make artistic designs
for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze, and in the cutting of stones for settings,
and in the carving of wood, to work in all kinds of craftsmanship. (Exodus 31:3-5 AMP)