unleavened creativity

What distinguishes breakthrough creativity from creativity that is not in the realm of “breakthrough” at all? Gentleness. Meekness. Humility. This is creativity of the unleavened kind.

Surely there is and can be no earthly joy in suffering alone. Unless, of course, such suffering in and of itself had a unique purpose of its own.

Leavened creativity seeks entitlement–whether it’s from a boss or a colleague at work, friends, client, family etc. Unleavened creativity, however, is drawn out of you when you willingly surrender to be humiliated by others–at least this is the unleavened creativity of the Cross of Jesus Christ. Everything Jesus could have done, might have done, should have done–in all earnest earthly reasonableness–he chose not to do. He chose not to save himself, retaliate, argue, justify his actions. Nothing. Rather, however, he gave himself up willingly: unleavened creativity: everything that may have been possible with all the resources of Heaven and Earth at the Creator’s command, was now forgone, except for hope…that the Father Creator God would indeed ultimately deliver on his promise.

Have you ever been belittled by someone, either knowingly or unknowingly? Christ has borne the hurt of that rejection. The unleavened creativity of Christ, of you and me, when we choose to share in it, is ultimately more powerful and true than the leavened creativity that seeks to retaliate, get angry, fight for what may be rightfully yours. Wait. Unleavened creativity endures.

The intended outcome of unleavened creativity is humility, and this, ultimately in the promise of the Creator, is what outlasts everything else. It signifies absolute dependence upon the Creator. Therefore when people revile you falsely and persecute you, don’t take it upon yourself to deal with it. Let’s stand firm in the promise of the Creator, trusting in Jesus Christ, and not give up!

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Matthew 5:11-12, The bible, ESV

And furthermore, it is recorded that Jesus said:

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Matthew 5:5, the bible, ESV

prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, I confess that often it’s the leaven of pride and entitlement in me that chooses to retaliate when I am put down by others. When you were reviled by those who hated you for no good reason, you did nothing but took it silently. Or so it seemed at the time. Who knew that your unleavened creativity was greater than the leavened creativity of those who chose hatred and violence over love and compassion? Thank you for bearing my hurt and rejection so that I no longer have to live in shame, or create anything out of shame, anger, or trying to prove myself to anyone, but You. In the silence of your meekness, I too have rest and perfect peace. In meekness I am more properly aligned to you–attitudinally and positionally; I’m in a better place trusting in you alone and not in my own sense of worth and strength. Surely, the humble can believe and will experience the Creator God as their deliverer. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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