The Heart Of Creativity

Answer my prayers, O LORD, for your unfailing love is wonderful. Take care of me, for your mercy is so plentiful. Don’t hide from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in deep trouble!

DESPERATION IS OFTEN at the heart of creativity. Moses’ mom was desperate. The pharaoh, afraid the people of Israel were growing too strong in number, was commanding all baby boys to be killed at birth.

She’d do anything to save her son. Where could she hide a baby? What if he cried? What if someone came by the house?

You can almost imagine her scouring the house, looking frantically for an answer and praying. Then she eyes a basket! She might have thought, It looks the right size, but the baby’s cries could still be heard in the house. The river! If I could just hide the baby in the reeds, far from human ears.

But how could she make sure the basket stayed afloat? Tar and pitch! So she coated the basket, placed the baby inside, and asked her daughter to stand guard. God sparked her creativity, and a whole nation was saved by that baby, who grew into the nation’s leader and deliverer.

Are you feeling stuck? Do you need a new idea or to be rescued in some situation?

Pray! Then look around—the answer may be sitting right in front of you.