Years ago, my life was in a slump. Nothing seemed to be happening. I felt as if everything I had hoped for and wanted to accomplish had vanished. Fighting discouragement was a daily battle. No matter what I did to comfort myself or find pleasure, the emptiness remained. Like a well with no bottom, nothing I did could fill it. I felt fruitless, a failure with no visible results that would echo the word “success.” 

       From the ditch of despair, I asked the Lord, “What is wrong? Please help me!” I spent more time trying to figure everything out than being productive. I was so focused on my feelings that I couldn't see past my nose. So, I cast my eyes upon the Lord and waited for an answer. A short time later, I began to experience a positive shift in my life. 

    It started when I began to write. I asked Jesus, the author of Scripture, to help me write. Thoughts began to come, and with them, inspiration, a life force that energized me. The spirit of creativity began to flow. Starting from a blank canvas, I wrote each short article to paint God’s faithfulness and power, and grace- in short, the face of Jesus. Years later, I began posting these testimonies weekly in our local newspaper, “Sunday Tidbit.” I have also published my first book, “God’s Design for Spiritual Marriage,” available on Amazon.com.

     As sons and daughters of the Creator, we are called to be creative. God has given people gifts and talents. When people flow in their creative stream, life flows to them and through them, impacting the lives of others. God’s heart is for you to succeed and prosper through your creative gifting. When you have no outlet for the grace God has placed in you, it can leave a void in your life where fear and anxiety can lodge. Without tapping into your creativity, you lose sight of life’s purpose, which can lead to depression and even mental decline.  

     Having a passion with purpose is vital to a fulfilled life. As a former pilot, I loved to fly airplanes. I especially relished the sensation when the plane’s wheels left the ground, setting me free from the confines of the earth. As a Flight Instructor, I taught others to fly. That experience laid the foundation for training Christians how to use their gifts and talents. Nothing excites a Christian more than being used by the Lord, especially when they experience the life of the Spirit that is theirs in Christ Jesus. Today, serving others has become my passion.

   The womb of our heart is where our desires originate. Scripture tells us that as we delight ourselves in the Lord, He gives us the desires of our heart (Proverbs 37:3). This is because they originate from His heart. These desires become our vision. As our vision becomes clear, so does our passion to see them come to fruition, the fruit that brings great joy. But when delayed, diminished, or destroyed, they can make our hearts sick. Proverbs 13:12 tells us,

       “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing that is fulfilled is like a tree of life.”

     Recently, I spoke with a pastor friend. He shared that although he enjoyed pastoring a congregation, his heart longed for something else. He also shared that his vision is to establish a home for children, a place where they can be fed, clothed, and cared for. His passion for the homeless was heartfelt and sincere. His excitement told me this was truly of the Lord.

    Creativity is not limited by age. Watch a child at play, and you will see creativity revealed. From the young to the old, everyone is called to create something of value. Retirement should not be a crisis in one’s life but an opportunity to engage in an activity that lets one's ordained creativity flow. There is life in creativity. Finding something that stirs your passion puts hope in your heart and a spring in your step, increases longevity, and promotes good mental health. 

         There will be times when nothing seems to be happening. This is often God’s design. During these times, we are to go deeper into His Word, rest in His presence, and be refreshed by His Spirit. As a result, we enter the next phase of life more impactful and productive.

     To know what God has placed in your heart, ask yourself, “What brings you to life and ignites a spark in your eyes?” What excites you? What comes to mind? This is your vision. Write it out to clarify it, then take a step forward in faith (Habakkuk 2:2). As you do, you will see the Lord working with you to fulfill the desire He has already placed in you. What He has ordained, He will accomplish.

 In His heart with love, Roy Roden