What it Means to be a Maker
“What is a maker?” an editor once asked me. “I don’t think that communicates,” he said.
Tell it to God, I thought as I smiled. It is not new news. We are made in His image.
Makers are creatives. In any context, they purposefully leave a positive mark—even if not noticed by others. A sense of calling undergirds their manner. This kind of creativity is a way of engaging life—a matter of character and rightful identity—and it is the treasure of everyday opportunities led by the Spirit. We all possess it. As makers, you and I are placeholders for Jesus. With heavenly endorsement, we lead lives marked by empowered presence, empathy, and holy-rooted identity. Until Christ returns, this world is ours to occupy—and to creatively multiply what we’ve been given. (Luke 9:11-26)
So we don’t waste any time, you and I have an opportunity to capture the collective imagination of the culture around us—to expect and affirm wonder, everyday. Stepping into our authentic creativity, we extend a compelling invitation to others. God’s grace gets traction. (After all, he didn’t leave us with our “talents” expecting to come back to what he’d left. We are where we are to invest for Him!) The currency of His kingdom multiplies exponentially in the myriad ways we joyfully relate and grow with those around us.
Motivations and Values
From the beginning, God has invited us to a creativity that is deeper, wider, and much higher. It resides in our heart of hearts—haunting all who long for more. Intuiting a better, more engaging way of purposeful life with God but seeing no clear Christian path, some give up searching for it. Like me, they figure that creative interactions with God—like my moments on the porch—are just quirky, private ways to enjoy God. They are sure they will snap out of it someday and find satisfaction in the more “serious” ways of engaging with God attained by traditionally religious folks. What they don’t realize is that many of the “traditionally religious” folk they look up to aren’t satisfied at all!
Maker’s Affirmation 1: Compassion
Makers care deeply about the redemptive needs of the world that cause their soul to grieve— they make as a compassionate expression of their care for others. I am a maker.
(Psalm 27:13-14) I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness
in the exuberant earth.
Stay with God!
Take heart. Don’t quit.
I’ll say it again:
Stay with God.
Goodness the quality of being morally good or virtuous, beneficial or nourishing (as in food).
Maker’s Affirmation 2: Presence/emotion/embodiment
Makers value their own experiences, feelings, and emotions as essential fodder for their creative life with God. This awareness cracks open their souls to make room for His redemptive work. I am a maker.
(Genesis 1:26-28, MSG)
God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them
reflecting our nature
So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,
the birds in the air, the cattle,
And, yes, Earth itself,
and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.”
God created human beings;
he created them godlike,
Reflecting God’s nature.
He created them male and female.
God blessed them:
“Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!
Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,
for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.”
Maker’s Affirmation 3: Connection
Makers share themselves deeply — connecting with God and others out of a desire to know them, be known, and to participate in the ongoing process of spiritual transformation. I am a maker.
(1 Corinthians 8:2-3)
If anyone thinks of himself as a know-it-all, he still has a lot to learn. But if a person passionately loves God, he will possess the knowledge of God.
Maker’s Affirmation 4: Peace
Makers establish shalom — a balanced sense of peace and joyful anticipation with God — before taking creative action with left brain formulas or processes. I am a maker.
(Colossians 3:15-17, MSG)
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Maker’s Affirmation 5: Pace
Makers slow down in order to open themselves up to what God wants to focus attention on. I am a maker.
(Exodus 3:2-4)
The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed. So Moses said, “I must turn aside now and see this marvelous sight, why the bush is not burned up.” When the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”
Maker Affirmation 6: Non-anxious, gentle presence
Makers reject a life of dark despair. Instead, they relax in the light of God’s love, care, and community.
(Phillippians 4:5-7)
Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Maker’s Affirmation 7: Companioned/Companioning
Makers process fearful emotions with God and others on the spiritual journey. Recognizing and sharing creative struggles reminds them that they are never alone. I am a maker.
(Isaiah 41:9-10, NASB)
You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth,
And called from its remotest parts
And said to you, ‘You are My servant,
I have chosen you and not rejected you.
Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Maker’s Affirmation 8: Gratitude
Makers keep grace-based bearings— spontaneously expressing their undeserved blessings and sharing treasures gifted to them by God. I am a maker.
(2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
Maker’s Affirmation 9: Full stories
Makers testify with the stories they tell and the transformational life they live.
(1 Peter 3:15)
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect
Maker’s Affirmation 10: Play- building relationship
Makers cultivate inspiration by enjoying a fun, full, magnetic life-balance. I am a maker.
(Isaiah 55:12-13)
“So you’ll go out in joy,
you’ll be led into a whole and complete life.
The mountains and hills will lead the parade,
bursting with song.
All the trees of the forest will join the procession,
exuberant with applause.
No more thistles, but giant sequoias,
no more thornbushes, but stately pines—
Monuments to me, to God,
living and lasting evidence of God.”
Maker’s Affirmation 11: Authenticity = Vulnerability
Makers holistically glorify God, drawing others to Him through their authentic way of being. I am a maker.
(Matthew 5:14-16, MSG)
Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
Maker’s Affirmation 12: Creative submission
Makers hold their redemptive purpose humbly before God, themselves, and others— inviting collaboration for a Kingdom cause. I am a maker.
(Psalm 149:1)