Everyone’s job requires creativity, but we often take it for granted. Entrepreneurs need it to start companies, solve problems, and find audiences for their products. Scientists need creativity to imagine new theories and models. Lawyers require creativity to solve cases and consider new approaches that will help their clients. We need creativity in our vocations. It is an essential part of being human and made in the image of God.

My friend and IFWE’s Vice President for Theological Initiatives, Dr. Art Lindsley, has put it this way:

We are made in the image of God. As such, a call to creativity is placed on our lives because we bear the creative characteristics of God. We are made to use our God-given creativity to cultivate the potential of the creation around us. God created the world out of nothing, and we are called to create something out of that which exists.

Creativity & the Trinity

We don’t talk about the Trinity often enough in Christian circles, and the result is that our work, our art, and our communities are impoverished. On a fundamental level, the nature of the Trinity invites us to think more deeply about the meaning of community, fellowship, and creativity. In essence, the freedom to be creative, the blessing of fellowship, and the value of community all mirror the Trinity. This is in part why IFWE’s logo is the Celtic Trinity Knot, an ancient symbol of the Trinity.

Creativity & The Self

We live in a world obsessed with the self, but creativity anchored in the self is degenerative. Self-focused creativity only considers our own needs, failures, or frustrations. It only looks inward and therefore fails to pursue a connection with others. There is certainly a place and time for acting in our own self-interest, but self-care cannot solve all our problems. Even though we buy self-help books, watch self-help videos on YouTube, and seek therapists who can help us understand ourselves, these activities can only take us so far. We need to get outside of ourselves and develop a larger framework.

The Ideal Community

Pixar’s success for many years was attributed to how they fostered creativity. One of their mottos was, “Fail early and fail often.” Without the freedom to take risks, creativity will be stifled. Yet, take a moment to imagine a community led by people who are generous, loving, and who foster creativity in all of life. A community where you are accepted, inspired, and supported. One where your anxieties drift away, hints of shame vanish, and your heart and soul feel a profound freedom. Inspiration would blossom in this environment. Brainstorming and working with colleagues would be fulfilling instead of draining.

This is the kind of community you were designed for, and this is where creativity flourishes. This is true in a healthy startup, a local church, or a Fortune 500 company. The people and the health of the community matter. 

The Trinity as the Ideal Creative Community

This ideal community is a mirror of the Trinity. Generosity triumphs over selfishness, and freedom triumphs over shame and fear. It is a unique way to consider what is meant when we say, “God is love.” (1 Jn. 4:8) God doesn’t obsess over himself. He bursts forth with a largess of grace and love. 

Remember the biblical story of the prodigal son? His father lavished grace on him when he returned after living foolishly. This is a picture of a God who created an entire universe with joy, and then created people to enjoy his creation and his fellowship. This is the nature of the entire Trinity. In the Trinity, there is no jealousy, no gossip, no bitterness, and no shame or guilt. 

Trinitarian Harmonies

Jonathan Edwards compared the beauty of the Trinity to the beauty of a musical harmony. Each member plays their part while serving the same purpose. The members of the Trinity remain unique, yet complementary to one another. Edwards believed that beauty in music and artwork echoes the beauty of the Trinity. It is part of the very fabric of reality. This is why notes in harmony sound pleasant together, and why complementary colors look pleasing together. Whether we are members of the church or members of our corporate culture, we are called to pursue this kind of life. With this in mind, it might be more helpful to imagine a well-run business as a symphony than a mere factory or economic engine. 

Your Work, Creativity & The Trinity

If our God is this generous and loving, how should we view our work, our culture, and our communities? Should not our hearts overflow with love for other men and women we see every day? If our imaginations are captivated by the beauty and mystery of the Trinity, we will be compelled to share deeply with others through our work and one-on-one interactions. From our etiquette and ethics to our hospitality, we were made to echo this generosity.

We have a great privilege as Christians! We are invited to love others out of the largess of how God has loved us, and to celebrate the creativity of our colleagues because we have a deep understanding of the creative love of God.