In Search of the Muse

Where do our ideas and inspiration have their birth? Many persons suggest that they are awakened as we allow our minds to explore and so unearth these precious deposits hidden deep in our psyche. Agreed. But how did they get there? What is the true genesis of those bursts of inspiration and startling epiphanies? In my search for an explanation, my mind wanders to the creation story in the book of Genesis.  

“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.“ Genesis 1: 26, 27. 

From the phrase, “in Our image” I understand that man was made like God, and so I seek to know the image of God. A look around the garden of Eden gives a glimpse of some aspects of His image, character, and personhood. Eden reveals order and a diversity of form and color. The order of God’s creation indicates deliberation: light, skies, seas, vegetation, land and sea creatures, man— each creation relying on the previous for sustainability.  His final act, the creation of day to commemorate His handiwork, not only highlight His imaginative and prolific mind but His  delight in and celebration of beauty. 

Over time, man has displayed his creative genius in various ways— beautiful pieces of sculpture, paintings, and machines. We are predisposed to be intentional, creative beings, a gift given to us as early as at creation. We give this creativity tone and texture by the things we feed our senses on. This is exemplified when we wake up on a Monday morning humming a tune from the concert we attended the Saturday night before. Or we have a nagging dark mood which we trace back to the movie we watched the night before. 

I have spent this week enjoying the creativity of God and also of my fellowman. Immersed in this atmosphere of relaxation and beauty, I thank God the original Muse, for His willingness to share with us that creativity and intentionality that propel us to seek out, fashion, and delight in beauty. 

Today’s Goal: To use our creative powers in ways that bring joy and beauty into the lives of others.