God's Heart For The Orphan By Dr Robert GloverSample

Day 7

Creativity

Creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson challenges the way we're educating our children. He champions a radical rethink of our school systems, to cultivate creativity and acknowledge multiple types of intelligence.

He tells the story of a little eight-year-old girl, Gillian, who was struggling at school in the 1930’s. They thought she had a learning disorder and took her to a specialist. He, rather than exclude and label her, told her mother to take her to a dance school as “she needs to move to think”. Gillian auditioned for the Royal Ballet, had a wonderful career, met Andrew Lloyd Webber, and eventually formed her own company; ‘Gillian Lynne Dance Company’. She produced ‘Cats’ and ‘Phantom of the Opera’, and is now a multi-millionaire who has given pleasure to millions.

When we think of names people give God, Creative usually doesn’t come to mind. Theologians tell us that God’s most fundamental relationship with the cosmos is as its continual creator and sustainer. God is always creating. We do call God, after all, the Creator. We have long discussed what it really means to be made in His image. Our ability to create and be creative is certainly an expression of Him in us. Our creativity is authored by Him and comes from His hand. It is one of the most important ways that we can imitate Him. When we create, we are simply acting out one purpose for which He formed us. He is extending His creativity through us.

The specialist that encouraged Gillian empathized with the creative side of her little life and changed its course. How can you encourage children around you today?

Learn more about the problem of institutional care for orphans and why family-based care is the right solution.