Creativity--a spiritual gift?

Obviously, as a writer I'm a creative person. Writing is, after all, a form of artistic expression. But writing isn't the only way I like to create. To those closest to me, I'm also known to be quite the scrapbook addict and well intentioned cook. I say well intentioned because my creations don't always come out as planned in the kitchen!


Genesis 1:27 tells us that we are made in the image of God. That verse takes on an entirely different dimension when we view Him as the Creator of the universe. God is creative, and every ounce of creativity that you have attests to the fact that you were made in His image! That may not seem like a big deal at first, but it does give new significance to things like drawing, painting, theatre and other creative expressions.


Normally, we view things like prophecy, giving, teaching, etc...as spiritual gifts but we tend to overlook the spiritual significance of our creativity. This summer, as you have some extra time on your hands try to engage with God in a new way. Instead of having your traditional quiet time, choose to commune with Him by worshipping Him through your creativity for a change. I feel closest to God when I am at my computer writing or in my kitchen whipping something up. And, not surprisingly, I tend to hear His voice loudest in those two places as a result.

I've also discovered that God and chocolate go pretty well together. So, if you're looking to be creative you might want to whip up a batch of my favorite chocolate chip cookies while you're at it.

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/4 cups whole-wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup reduced-calorie stick margarine, softened

2/3 cup sugar

2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/4 cup applesauce

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 large egg

1 large egg white

1/2 cup reduced-fat semisweet chocolate chips

Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350°.
Combine first 4 ingredients in a bowl; stir well. Set aside. Combine margarine and sugars in a large bowl; beat at medium speed of a mixer until light and fluffy. Add applesauce, vanilla, egg, and egg white; beat well. Add dry ingredients; beat at low speed until well-blended. Stir in chips.

Drop dough by level teaspoons, 1 inch apart, onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes or until almost set. Remove from oven; let stand 2 to 3 minutes or until firm. Remove cookies from pans; let cool on wire racks.

Yield 5 dozen (serving size: 1 cookie)

Nutritional Information
CALORIES 52(35% from fat); FAT 2g (sat 0.8g,mono 1g,poly 0.5g); PROTEIN 0.8g; CHOLESTEROL 4mg; CALCIUM 3mg; SODIUM 65mg; FIBER 0.4g; IRON 0.2mg; CARBOHYDRATE 8.7g
Cooking Light, NOVEMBER 1996