How many times have you heard the phrase, content creator? What do you think of when you hear it? For me, YouTubers, Instagrammers, TicToc’ers come to mind, to name a few. Many people create content and share it with the world in hopes of becoming a viral sensation, and perhaps even earning enough income to make a full-time career out of it. What an honor it is to earn that shiny YouTube plaque to display in the background of their videos.
Then comes the shameless plug that is almost perceived as a required sign-off: “Please like, subscribe, share, and click the bell so you won’t miss any of my content.” Truth be told, I’ve included a variation of that in most of our YouTube videos, albeit in text form at the end.
Is creating a new thing? I think back to when I was a kid, seeing my grandmother collecting items from the garden, carrying them back in her apron that she had gathered up by its corners. She would often cook or can food (her homemade grape juice was a favorite of mine). She was also a quilter and always had stacks of quilt squares beside her chair, waiting to be sewn into her next quilting project. My sister and I used to pretend we had a store, buying and selling those squares with imaginary money. My grandmother was a creator.
What are the origins of creativity?
“In the beginning God created…” -Genesis 1:1a1
There it is! The first recorded evidence of a creative God.
“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…’” -Genesis 1:26a
So, our inner heart toward creativity comes from the One who created us. We are created in the image of God, the original Creator.
What should motivate us as a creator? First, do you recognize that your creativity is a gift from God? I have taken that step to acknowledge that if there is any creative gift within me, it did not originate from my own talent, but from the One who created me.
My interest in photography goes back to my childhood. I still remember the sound and feel of clicking the wheel of a 110 camera to advance to the next frame. I’m sure some of you just felt that in your mind as you read. For years, I would experiment with various forms of composition in hopes to create something interesting. My film camera experience came alive when I purchased a Canon A-1, which I used for many years before going digital with a Nikon D-5000.
I had an Instagram account for a few years but became dissatisfied with the move on that platform toward video shorts and distraction. So, I deleted that account.
More recently, I’ve shared my photography on Vero (https://vero.co/thetravelingkites). I am encouraged with the way they seem to get that photographers want to have control of their algorithm. I have also started a group on MeWe (https://mewe.com/join/thetravelingkites) for our travel photography. Likewise, I moved there due to the overflow of unrequested (and sometimes, unwelcomed) content on Facebook.
Video is something that I explored over the last several years. I started a YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@thetravelingkites) with thoughts that Sharon and I could share our travels with our family and with anyone else that cared to come along through that format. Our subscriber count is very low, but that’s OK. I have no aspirations toward internet fame and making money.
After a while, I got burnt out on video editing and decided to focus more on photography. I found that filming video seemed to intrude on the relational enjoyment of traveling with Sharon. Shooting photos is not nearly so obtrusive.
Writing has also been an interest of mine (https://thetravelingkites.com). I don’t believe I will ever write a book, but I do enjoy this shorter form of writing.
I am at a pivotal point in my creative journey. I’ve been doing a lot of introspection lately about what motivates me to share my craft.
In the past, our “about” information has stated that our creative outlets exist to share our travels with our family and to share the beauty of God’s creation with others who would have interest. I am feeling that a bit of fine tuning is in order. My first priority should be, and is, to honor God with anything I do. From that base, perhaps our family will enjoy seeing our photos and videos. Then, if anyone else cares to follow along, maybe they will be inspired to consider the beautiful world God has created for us.
“It’s not about you.” -Rick Warren2
What if we were to acknowledge that our creative gift is from a higher place? What if we were compelled to use our gift to honor God? What if it had nothing to do with popularity and everything to do with pointing others toward the One who created this beautiful planet for them to enjoy? I believe I am being called to make that pivot.
Are you…?
Creating for the Creator,
Randy
- The Holy Bible, New International Version. (1984). International Bible Society. (Original work published 1973).
- Warren, Rick, 1954-. The Purpose-Driven Life : What on Earth Am I Here for? Grand Rapids, Mich. :Zondervan, 2002.
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