The Gift of Creativity

Season 1 Episode 25 - A prison in Brazil has implemented a surprising and creative solution to their security problem.  Today's episode shares that story, as well as how it is a wonderful example of one of the attributes of God.

"Reflect on This" is the podcast version of short email devotionals I send to my family and friends, where I am sharing the things I am learning about the ways and nature of God, through applying my study of the Scriptures to the world around me.

If you like the podcast, please tell your friends and family about it, subscribe, and leave a favorable rating and review, because it helps others to find the podcast more easily (by raising the podcast in search results).

Books that inspired some episodes:

“Dream Small:  The Secret Power of the Ordinary Christian Life” by Seth Lewis
 
“The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts” by Gary Chapman

"The Lies We Believe: Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life" by Dr. Chris Thurman

Featured resources and ministries:

“Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage” (podcast) 
This is a once a week 30-minute podcast hosted by Greg and Erin Smalley, who head up the marriage team at Focus on the Family.  Each episode addresses a different aspect of marriage, using biblical principles, practical advice, and a mixture of humor and candidness.  They also feature expert guests that share their knowledge and experience of applying biblical principles to marriage.  

"Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope" (podcast)
This is a 4 minute weekday podcast, where Joni shares stories of her life and biblical applications.  One of the world's longest living quadriplegics, God has used her courage, determination, faithfulness, and love to inspire and minister in amazing ways to people around the world.   Every time I hear her, I am challenged and inspired.  

"e-Sword" (Bible study software)
This study tool is available for download to both computers and mobile devices.  The download includes many free public domain resources, including Bibles, dictionaries, commentaries, devotionals, and maps.  It also has a multi-windowed display, so that you can simultaneously view a Bible translation, a dictionary, and a commentary.  You can also easily compare Bible translations in parallel windows.
On your computer, go to e-sword.net (free)
On your mobile device, go to your app store and search for “e-sword.” (a modest purchase price)

"Manufacture Good" (ministry)
Manufacture Good is a Christian ministry that offers 6-month paid apprenticeships to unemployed young men.  These apprentices learn important life skills and valuable woodworking and metalworking skills which lead to employment opportunities.  The program also provides mentoring in the process of discovering and following Christ.  The sale of the high-quality furniture they produce supports the ministry.  You can shop their catalog of fine home and office products, order a standard or custom piece of furniture, and learn more about this amazing ministry, at: https://manufacturegood.org/.

Music credits:
Beauty by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/

Transcript

I need to start today with some housekeeping info.  Creating this podcast has been quite an adventure for me.  In addition to learning the essentials of creating and publishing a podcast, I have also experienced opportunities for growing in some character qualities, including humility.  Let me explain.  You may have noticed that the original versions of episodes 23 and 24 had a low audio quality.  I had a friend graciously mention this to me recently.  I went back and discovered that my recording software had switched input mics, so that I was not using my podcast mic.  I have now re-recorded and posted those 2 episodes.  On almost all of the podcast apps, the new recordings immediately replaced the old recordings.  But for the Apple Podcast app, you will need to do the following for episodes 23 and 24:  Click on the episode, to display the description of the episode.  In the upper right corner, click on the ellipses (the 3 dots), and look at the top entry in the popup menu.  If it says “Download Episode ” no further action is needed.  When you listen to it, it will pull the new version from the Apple server.  But if it says “Remove Download,” then you should click on that option.  It will remove the old version from your phone, and if you now listen to that episode, it will pull the new version from the Apple Server.  *sigh* A dose of humble pie indeed!  😊  Well, on to today’s episode.

I found a fascinating article recently in the Wall Street Journal.  Here is an excerpt: 

“A prison in southern Brazil has come up with a novel way to bolster security: replacing guard dogs with geese.

A squadron of nine silky-feathered birds—the “geese agents,” as guards call them—now patrol the grassy strip of land between the inner fence and the outer wall at the high-security prison here in São Pedro de Alcântara, a small town some 400 miles north of the border with Uruguay.  

Fiercely territorial, the fiendish nine-pounders can be surprisingly intimidating, charging at anyone who dares enter their enclosure and unleashing a deafening cacophony of honks and shrieks that serves to alert guards if one of the prison’s 1,300 inmates tries to escape.”

The article goes on to state that the geese are much more effective than the guard dogs they previously used, much less expensive to maintain, never get sick, and cannot be befriended and bribed by the prisoners with food (as the dogs were).  Other prisons in Brazil are following suit and adding geese to their security measures.

What a creative idea to use geese for guarding the prison!  This is a wonderful example of man’s creativity.  Where did this creativity come from? 

Genesis 1:1 NASB  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:27 NASB  God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Since God created the world and all that is in it, and since He created us “in His image,” it is a natural conclusion that God has given us a measure of His creativity, as a reflection of Him.  Stated differently, God has given mankind creativity, for our benefit and for His pleasure and glory.

There is also a purpose in our creativity:

Genesis 1:28 AMP  And God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it [using all its vast resources in the service of God and man]; and have dominion [or rule] over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth.

God has given us creativity to rule over and steward the earth, and all that He has given us.  We are to do so wisely and with care.  This includes using our creativity to steward our relationships with others.  

We are to use our creativity to improve the world around us, and to bring joy to ourselves and others.  For example, creativity is the basis of the many inventions throughout history that have benefited mankind.  The creativity of the arts and music brings joy to both the creators and to the observers and listeners.  In all of this, God is glorified.

1 Corinthians 10:31 AMP  So then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you may do [including being creative], do all for the honor and glory of God.

So, I encourage you, as an image-bearer of God, to use your creative ideas and skills to improve your world, and to bring joy to yourself and the people in your sphere of influence.  Your creativity is a testimony to the world of God’s creativity, and a reflection of the image of God within you.  In exercising your creativity, God is glorified.

Today, I encourage you to “Reflect on This.”