Creating vs. Consuming

Do more of what you were created to do

Something happens to us when we do more consuming than creating. We become less human. As Treebeard said, we begin to “have a mind of metal and wheels”. We lose the softness of our hearts, we shrink the capacity for imagination and we begin to harden our skin. We were not made for such an imbalance.

As Tolkien said, we are Sub-creators.

There is more joy and fulfillment in creating than consuming.

Maybe, just maybe you find yourself weary, cynical and discouraged because you are consuming things that you were never meant to live on. You have bent your life around data, screens and content — other people’s ideas and values.

But friend, you were created to create.

Go write a poem.
Plant some flowers.
Sketch a tree.
Fiddle on the piano.
Cook a beautiful meal.

You don't need to be perfect at it.
You don’t need to make money from it.
You just need to get your hands dirty in the act of it.

I promise you, you will find that there is a deep well of beautiful things waiting to come out, if you just give yourself the time and space to do such acts.

Creating is the better way because you were made to contribute and bless, encourage and help - not just receive and consume. When you create, you will experience the joy of giving of yourself — a joy that our Creator knows deeply!