Oswald Chambers was a Scottish minister of the gospel. Born in July 1874, he died suddenly while serving in World War I at just 43 years old. He is best known as the author of one of the most influential Christian devotional books of all time: My Utmost for His Highest. The book has sold over 13 million copies and has never been out of print since it was first published in 1927.
What’s fascinating is that the book wasn’t written in book form by Chambers himself. It was actually his wife, Gertrude “Biddy” Chambers, who compiled his teachings into a devotional form after his death — and she never took credit.
Chambers said this “Worship is giving God the best that He has given you.”
This is the essence of what we’re exploring today: creating as an act of worship.
Every Society is Shaped by Its Stories
“Every society is shaped by the stories it tells. Creating is how those stories come alive.”
In Exodus 31:1-5 (NIV), we see a profound example of creation as worship. The Israelites, liberated by God through Moses after 400 years of slavery, had assimilated aspects of Egyptian culture. God instructs Moses to build a Tabernacle— a mobile dwelling place for worship — with very specific instructions. This creation brought order, focus, and precision to worship, helping re-orient the people toward Yahweh.
Then the LORD said to Moses,
“See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,
and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills —
to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.”
Artistic creation gives form to worship and helps others express worship. Creating tells the story of salvation.
Makoto Fujimura: A Modern Example of Worship Through Creation
Makoto Fujimura, born in Boston to Japanese parents in 1960, is both a visual artist and a Christian thinker. He is known for works like The Four Holy Gospels and pieces such as Tears of Christ, Water Flames, Prodigal God, and In The Beginning.
“To make is to love. And to make is to live. God is the ultimate Artist, and we are invited to co-create with Him.”
“Art is an expression of worship, and every mark we make can be to the glory of God. When we make, we step into the Creator’s footsteps.”
Fujimura’s work is a vivid reminder that creating is not just about skill or technique — it is an expression of worship.
The Arts as Expressions of Worship
1. Visual & Fine Arts
Painting, drawing, sculpting, photography, printmaking, calligraphy.
2. Craft & Design Arts
Pottery, woodworking, metalworking, textiles, fashion, jewelry, furniture.
3. Performing & Expressive Arts
Music, dance, theatre, spoken word, poetry.
4. Modern & Digital Crafts
Graphic design, illustration, film, animation, architecture, coding, game design.
5. Literary & Language Arts
Writing, storytelling, screenwriting, translation, editing.
Created for Good Works
Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV) reminds us:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
not by works, so that no one can boast.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
“Handiwork” literally means masterpiece — a poem, a crafted work. Creating is not just about social impact or morality — it is worship in action, a way of living a life devoted to God through excellence, beauty, and purpose.
Beauty and Goodness Intertwined
The Hebrew word Tov means pleasant, beautiful, beneficial, life-giving, and functioning as it should. Creating goodness in worship reflects God’s image.
The Renaissance rediscovered this: truth, beauty, and creativity reflect the divine. Human beings are made to bear the image of a creative God.
Architecture as Worship
- Westminster Abbey (London, rebuilt 1245)
King Henry III called it: “A house of God, a house of prayer for all nations, a place of the glory of God.” - Sagrada Família (Barcelona, begun 1882)
Antoni Gaudí said: “It is a work that is in the hands of God and the will of the people.”
“A church is the only thing worthy of representing the feelings of a people, for religion is the highest thing in people.”
Creating to outlast us leaves a lasting reflection of God’s glory.
What Will Outlast Us?
When Biddy Chambers captured her husband’s words, she had no idea of the impact and longevity. All she did was create with a heart of worship.
The question for us is:
What will outlast us? What are we creating today that reflects God’s beauty, goodness, and truth?
Prayer for the Creators
Father, thank You for making us in Your image — creative, purposeful, and capable of beauty.
Help us to create with intention and worship.
May every work of our hands, every word we write, and every act we do reflect Your glory.
Amen.
