Get Creative or Die
July 10th, 2007 | Michael Q. Pink
Want to emulate the ways of God? Consider Psalm 147:2-6. The sixth of seven characteristics of God’s ways described here is: “He calls them all by their names.” We are talking about the stars here and the last count we had was that there were 80 sextillion stars that we know of - so far. That’s ten times the number of grains of sand on all the beaches and deserts on the planet, just to give you some perspective. It’s one thing to know, for example, that you have a herd of cattle numbering 5,000, but to be able to name them, recognize and remember them by name is beyond the scope of reason for us. Yet God not only knows how many stars there are, but has actually given them all names.
Keep thinking about this for a moment. How many words are in your vocabulary? 5,000? 10,000? 100,000? The vastness of the scope of this defies comprehension. Yet God is unphased. 80 sextillion names and He remembers them all! I suspect He is still making stars just to keep things interesting up there!
O.K., so we’re not God. We can’t do that. But we can emulate Him, so what do we learn about God and His ways from this? The first thing I learn is how immensely creative He is, that He never stops creating. Injecting life and freshness into the business process keeps things moving forward. The minute we stop creating, we start drifting, resting as it were on our laurels. We become a pool of water with no outlet - Stagnant. Keep your company interesting. Keep your prospects interested. Creativity goes beyond the new product or service. It might be your delivery method or your sales process or your written materials. Ask God for creative ways you can communicate with and deliver solutions to your customers.
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July 10th, 2007 at 6:52 am
Michael:
I attended a course at Penn State on Creativity. The most important thing I learned was to ask the question: “How am I creative?” rather than “How creative am I?” Our maker has made us all creative in His image. We need to use that in His Glory.
Thank you,
Charlie
July 10th, 2007 at 10:48 am
Michael, I am REally glad you brought this topic up. Sometimes being creative both differentiates you and makes you different, which I consider faintly different REsults. Conversely sometimes I think I may be a little overboard on creativity and I spend too much time trying to do new things as the ideas flow.
Sometimes I wonder if the REal Estate World and its inhabitants are comfortable with a Broker that brings a new twist to old concepts, or has a unique way of doing things.
I have learned from past experience, though that is best to partner with creativity than quench it. Because, if I don’t go forth with an idea that seems odd now, the idea will be passed to a more willing Spirit.
July 10th, 2007 at 11:47 am
Mike, good post. I agree with Suzi about being in an industry that can be fearful of creativity.
Another take on this thread, if it is important to God to know the names of every star, maybe it’s important for us to remember names of those we meet as well.
Rather then always looking for new ways to get more business, we should also spend time cultivating the relationships we have and learning the names of those we come in contact with.
Just a thought
July 11th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Thanks for being new and creative in your work. You cause me to think. Thanks
July 12th, 2007 at 2:27 am
Very Encouraging Message Brother.God Bless You & Your Ministry.
July 13th, 2007 at 11:42 am
Thank you, Michael, for referencing the Word.
When thinking ‘creatively’ I focus on Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Stanford Beal