Build. Raise up. Repair.

There’s no doubt that we are living in a broken world. It’s a world with many broken homes, broken hearts, broken bodies, and broken communities.

Why doesn’t God answer our prayers and come and fix it all?

He has answered our prayers.

We are the answer.

In today’s reading of Isaiah 61:1-3, notice the good news that Jesus has come to bring healing, freedom, release, grace, comfort, joy, and a spirit of praise to us all.

(Feel free to stand up and do a little victory dance if this moves you!)

Jesus names us “oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor” and declares that we will Rebuild. Restore. Renew. Build. Raise up. Repair.

Whatever your Bible translation, you should have some pretty powerful, active verbs in there (Isaiah 61:1-4).

We are called to co-create with God, to take real action.

We, these previously broken-hearted, captive, despairing people, are called to lift our eyes from the burning rubble around us and build, raise up, and repair.

Let’s get super clear here.

Are we called to observe the real doers as we lick our wounds?

No.

Are we called to clap our pastors on as they do all the hard work?

No.

Are we called just to think about what could/should be done?

No.

God has sent you a Helper

God wants you to bear fruit. (John 15)

He is for you, not against you! (Romans 8:31)

Your loving Father offers His enormous power to help you build, raise up, and repair with Him.

Just as He did with Bezalel and Oholiab at the start of this study, God offers His Holy Spirit to help and empower you as you fulfill His purpose for your life. (John 14:16)

Creative Exercise

As a sign of your royal priesthood, we invite you to take an unusual, but special symbolic action. Find something to represent your royalty and wear it today. Perhaps wear a tiara, tie, or a lapel pin for the day. Maybe your symbol is glitter that you dust on your cheeks.

Be brave and creative; don’t worry what people will think. Every time you notice your royal motif during the day, let it be a reminder to quieten your inner critic and act in a manner worthy of a child of the King.

Prayer

Father, I praise and honor You for the grace and mercy that You continually show us. Though we mess up again and again, You pour out Your Spirit to heal our brokenness. Thank You for empowering us to co-create with You and to glorify You by rebuilding, restoring, and renewing our world. Give me the empathy, courage, and wisdom to see where love and creativity are needed and what role I can play to serve people and glorify You.

For more on developing your God-given creative gifts, visit creativitywakeup.com/made-to-create-info.