In Create: Stop Making Excuses and Start Making Stuff, Stephen Altrogge contends that creativity is not just for the artistic. We’re all creative in different ways because we were made in the image of God, who is the ultimate Creator. He gave us whatever creative bents we have, so we should set aside fear, pride, or whatever else trips us up and create for His glory.
However, just because God made us creative doesn’t mean we create masterpieces from the get-go. We will grow in whatever skills we have as we exercise them. “We tend to treat creativity like magic: we should be able to summon it at will. But that’s not how creativity works. Creativity is a muscle that gets stronger with use.” We turn out a lot of bad stuff with glimmers of promise before we grow skilled enough to turn out good results. We shouldn’t get discouraged; that’s just part of the learning process.
We also need to remember our identity is not in anyone else’s opinion, good or bad. Not that others’ opinions don’t matter or aren’t helpful. But ultimately our identity is in being a child of God and our purpose is to please Him.
Also, to create anything, we need to be “filling your brain with ideas,” with creative fuel, by taking in creativity: reading if we’re writers, music if we’re songwriters or composers, etc.
All in all, I appreciated what Stephen had to say. Having read this type of book before, there wasn’t a lot that was new to me. But I need these reminders in my own creative journey.
My biggest problem with the book was its tone, which you can pick up from the subtitle. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I hadn’t just read Adorning the Dark: Thoughts on Community, Calling, and the Mystery of Making by Andrew Peterson (twice in a row because it was so good). Andrew’s tone is warm, gentle, and encouraging. One of my friends described Stephen’s book as a kick in the pants. Some people like that style; I prefer coming-alongside encouragement.
However the book is only 56 pages, and the Kindle version is on sale for 99 cents at the time of this writing. So if you feel your creativity needs some inspiration or prodding, this might be the book for you.
(I often link up with some of these bloggers.)
Stray Thoughts 
An interesting review. I do think of myself as creative but I’m also a bit lazy at it.
Thank you for this review, Barbara. I tend to go along the same lines as you in what I prefer in a book…the coming along side, encouragement type. But I did find this interesting because of a project I am starting in regards to my One Word for 2024. I have the supplies on hand…now, I just need to get on with creating the project. My “creativity” basically comes out in my cooking, baking, and crocheting…not so much with paper and pen. But this is something that I really want to do so I guess it’s time to get started!
‘We also need to remember our identity is not in anyone else’s opinion, good or bad. Not that others’ opinions don’t matter or aren’t helpful. But ultimately our identity is in being a child of God and our purpose is to please Him.’
This is one of the most important life lessons we can learn … and maybe one of the hardest to live out. I love the way you phrased this, Barbara. So full of grace and truth.
This sounds interesting! I’m pretty self-motivated so I don’t often need a kick in the pants to create 🙂 Now spiritually, sometimes I do. Currently (thanks to you pointing out all the GREAT resources on her website) Elisabeth Elliot is doing that for me.
I need to read this!
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This sounds like a wonderful book! I have written several blog posts about creativity because in my work as a memory-keeping and photo-preserving consultant, I have had people tell me they don’t (“can’t”) do anything with their photos because they’re “not creative.” Like this author, I know the God has blessed us with a lot of creative capacity, and that we just need to embrace it. We all create, by nature, whether it’s artistic or not. Thanks for the great book review. Visiting from the Sweet Tea & Friends linkup.
(If you’re interested, here’s one of my posts about creativity. The first quote there is specifically about God-given creative capacity–I love it. https://lifetalesbooks.blogspot.com/2018/07/the-importance-of-creativity-to.html)
I always appreciate your book reviews. I too I prefer coming-alongside encouragement in books as well.
Thank bunches for sharing this review with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.