Sacred CreativitySample

“Rejoicing over Small Beginnings”

Maybe God is stirring your creative gift within you, and you are making a start, or are about to. What if I told you that God delights in your new beginnings? That He rejoices to see you begin the exploration of your creative potential?

Zerubbabel was a leader of the tribe of Judah during the time King Cyrus II allowed the Jews to return to Judah. When Zerubabbel arrived and began building the foundation for the temple, he was ridiculed by the elders about how he was building it. This new temple would be much smaller than the great temple that Solomon built.

He faced distractions and hindrances that held up the process to get the temple completed. After sixteen years of obstacles—yeah, sixteen years—Zerubabbel was finally able to start rebuilding the temple again. But picking it up again was discouraging. The finish line still looked so far away.

God saw Zerubbabel’s small beginning, and there was nothing to hate or despise about that moment. Instead, God rejoiced that Zerubbabel had begun the work. “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand” (Zechariah 4:10).

God rejoiced when Zerubbabel began his work. He rejoices when we begin our work too.

Can you imagine it? God taking great pleasure in seeing you draw scribbles in your sketchpad or write the first paragraph of that story you’ve had locked inside. He delights in the first cake you’ve baked in a while or the first lyrics you write for a song that’s been stuck in your mind.

Take a moment to envision God rejoicing over your beginning. His joy as you take your first baby steps forward. He is pleased not that it’s finished, but that it has begun. How powerful and utterly refreshing is that?

What might your first step toward creativity be? Whatever it is, remember the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.