2023. Would you like to create something new this year? Could be something simple. Or it could be something extraordinary. God knows.

Have you ever danced with a partner who was infinitely more experienced, creative and confident than you? Did you let that person lead, or did you resist or mistrust? Did you—either subtly or insistently—try to take back the lead?

When you are a passenger in a car, and the driver is very qualified, perhaps an excellent driver, do you still try to steer from your side of the car, or even from the back seat? Do you silently—or out loud—wonder or ask “why are you going this way? I would go left here. I would go slower, or faster …..”

Let God lead. God is infinitely more qualified, and has tons of experience, like forever! Talk about creativity! He created Earth and the Universe. He created you and me and everything we see.

So, why is it that we do not trust God? Big question! We live in a fallen world, and there is evil in this world, and it seems that God lets that happen. For some reason, He seems to allow all the falls and pains and traumas and abuse we each experience. He even seems to allow us the freedom to create wars and slavery and some pretty insidious things.

So we ask, “God who? Who is God? And why should I trust this God, if He even exists at all?” Fair questions.

Personally, I am a doubter. And a control freak. I like to grab back the steering wheel. I like to think I am in control. I do not trust life or God or anyone else.

I am learning to trust. Slowly, but I do recognize what happens when I am relaxed enough, at ease enough, to let God lead. Something shifts, and something happens, and it feels really natural. If I am not careful, I can feel pride, as if I did something. Whether it is leading a yoga class, or writing a poem, or creating anything, if I am not careful I can claim credit, or forget that I allowed the wisdom of the universe to flow through me. I had a part, but it was God using my mind and my hands and my voice.

“Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” John 16:24

My New Year goal and invitation to you is, let go and let God. To allow the creative juices of God to flow through you, here are a few ideas:

  • Give God space. Slow down. Let God catch up with you.
  • Ask God to come into your life in a more clear way. Ask that His Holy Spirit comes in and guides you. Ask that you be an instrument of His grace to glorify God.
  • Pay attention. God can communicate in countless creative ways.
  • Ask questions, such as, “where am I out of alignment with You and truth? Then again, listen.
  • Begin to face and heal any old wounds or traumas you carry. This is a lifelong process, but God has tremendous creativity to guide you to the next healer or doctor or friend or therapy.
  • Do what you love. We have heard this a million times. Fear has us compromise and settle.
  • Break stagnation. Sometimes we need a kickstart. We get in ruts, where our creativity is seemingly permanently stuck. But it may take something simple, a couple deep breaths, a yoga class, take a walk, write a short poem. God’s life force and creativity are never stuck, we just need to tap in.
  • Get off the computer. It is hard for God’s creativity to come through when we are busy watching usually uninspired videos or whatever rabbit hole we follow.
  • Ask that you be shown your gifts. From Romans12:6, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.”
  • Get out in nature, see if that beauty and clean energy relaxes you unleashes some unfiltered Divine guidance.
  • Play … anything. Play an instrument. Play with children. Play a game. We like to play games where we role play, sort of a silly improv with no rules. I once heard Podcaster and comedian Joe Rogan say (I paraphrase) that when he is doing comedy, in the flow with the audience, you are not just the driver but also being driven, on the ride. Something bigger takes over!
  • Don’t force it. (I am writing this blog at a time I usually read scripture and meditate, because I felt inspired to do so). Write at a time when and where you feel creativity flowing.
  • Maybe NOT write, if that is not your thing. Trust where you are uniquely guided to create. Maybe cook something new today? Dust off an old recipe?
  • Be a wise sheep. Yes, we want to trust the shepherd, but we have a part. Be confident in our co-creativity. There are too many sheep presently following the wrong master.
  • Thank God. Gratitude is like a lubricant that eases us into God’s grace. Thank God for using you as the clay to bring beauty into form.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”  2 Corinthians 4:7

My hope and blessing for you is that you allow more of God’s creative and healing energy to flow through you, and out into our world. May we co-create something beautiful this year.