How Arts and Crafts are Pleasing to God.

It took me quite a while to realize it but when I craft or draw or do anything even slightly creative it is actually pleasing to God. Did you know that? Well, it is. That is as long as the project is made out of love and kindness. Sometimes it is simply a beautiful mess that I am making when all the paint, glitter, beads, and pretty paper scraps are scattered all over my crafting table, but it is still pleasing to God because that mess has produced something useful.

So what exactly do I mean that crafts or art or making a colorful mess is pleasing to God?

Let me explain…

God is the ultimate creator. He created ALL things. I am not just talking about the birds, animals and us. He literally created Everything!! Even the dirt and mud and the worms that crawl through it. Genesis 1:31 “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” (NIV). This verse comes right after God made us and after the scriptures already stated 5 times that what He had made was good. Now stop and think about that for a minute. Don’t we think of mud and worms and things of that type as dirty and messy? God didn’t. He saw that what He had created was good.

Now let’s evaluate further… God saw that His creation was good. Okay, He also created us in His image (Genesis 1:27). If God created us in His image then we are also creative beings. Therefore, we can understand that being creative is a reflection of God’s image. Whether it is cooking, crafts, music, poetry, or anything else for that matter, we are creating something that shows that we are made in God’s image.

Scriptures go on to show us that any talent we have to create or be artistic is a gift from God. In Exodus 31:1-6 and 35:30-33 the scriptures tell us that God filled Bezalel (the son of Uri) with the gift of craftsmanship.

“… and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts- to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship.” (Exodus 31:3-4, NIV).

The scripture stated that God filled him with the Holy Spirit. This is the same as when we receive gifts from God like in Romans 12:6. In Romans though, we have to look at what kinds of gifts we get. It states, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” (Romans 12:6a NIV). So, we all have gifts and each person may receive different gifts. The list that follows in Romans 12:6b-8 is not a complete list. We may receive all sorts of gifts from prophesy to teaching or even being artistic just like Bezalel in Exodus.

Whatever gift or gifts we receive (yes, we all can receive more than one!) we should not let them go to waste. God did not give us our gifts to hide them away and not use them. 1 Timothy 4:14 says not to neglect your gifts. If we don’t use our gifts what happens? Just like an athlete who doesn’t practice our abilities will diminish. This is not pleasing to God.

It is really beautiful to think that God has blessed some people with the ability to craft or create art. I know I feel truly blessed to have the abilities God granted me. However, no matter what gift we have received we need to make sure that we are using that gift in the right manner. Just like not using our gifts is displeasing to God, using them for evil or ungodly purposes is worse than not using them at all.

As long as what we create is created with love and kindness, and is made to uplift someones heart or to find enjoyment in God’s creation then we are creating in the right manner. When we create to please others, make gifts for friends and family or simply create to earn a living it is pleasing to God.

Yes, even selling our crafts is pleasing to God. We are to make a living. We are to sell our wares and provide for our families. Even the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:10-31 is noted as making a living to support her family. The same surely goes with men. How many carpenters (which is a craftsmanship) have been spoken about in the Bible? Jesus was raised as a carpenters son! Our crafts are no different.

You see, we are to be creative, create for a good purpose, and even sell our crafts. It is pleasing to God when we follow in His will and do what is told to us in His word. It is pleasing to God that we are using our talents and gifts to demonstrate love, hard work, and provide for our families.

So many times I have been told that I am wasting my time by “playing” with my crafts, but it is not “playing” and I am not wasting time. I am following God’s will and using my gifts. Don’t let people get you down and tell you that you are wasting time either! Craft or perform your art with love and kindness and use your gifts for the betterment of His kingdom for it is pleasing to God.

Have you ever found where your craft has brought someone joy, or feelings of love, or that you care about them? I know I have and it is a wonderful feeling to know that what you had created has made someones day or put a smile on their face. I would love to hear your crafting stories and how crafting has led you to uplift God’s kingdom. Please comment below so we can all share in God’s good work. Also, please share this article with your friends and family so they can also learn how arts and crafts can be pleasing to God.