Creativity and faith may seem like two different worlds—one focused on expression and imagination, the other on belief and devotion. But for me, the two are deeply connected. Whether I’m picking up a paintbrush, strumming a guitar, or sitting quietly in prayer, I’ve come to see that these practices speak to the same part of the soul. Both creativity and faith ask me to slow down, to pay attention, and to trust in something bigger than myself.
Creativity as a Form of Worship
I’ve never thought of art as just decoration. When I paint with watercolors or put together a miniature for a tabletop game, I’m not just creating an object. I’m entering into a process. Every stroke of color or careful detail is an act of focus, patience, and presence. In those moments, I feel connected to something beyond myself, and that, to me, feels very much like worship.
Scripture often talks about how we are made in the image of a Creator. If that’s true, then it makes sense that we’re wired to create, too. We might not all make paintings or music, but we create in countless ways—through cooking, building, writing, or even shaping the atmosphere of a home. I like to think that every act of creation, no matter how small, echoes the original creativity that gave life to the world.
The Quiet Lessons of Painting
Painting has been one of my most grounding creative outlets. There’s something about sitting down with brushes and paper that slows me down in the best way. Watercolor, especially, teaches patience. You can’t force it. The paint flows where it wants, and sometimes it surprises you with results you didn’t expect.
That’s a lot like faith. I might have plans or expectations, but I can’t always control the outcome. Sometimes, things don’t turn out the way I pictured, and I have to trust the process. Other times, the “mistakes” end up being the most beautiful parts. In both art and faith, I’ve learned that letting go of control can open the door to something more meaningful.
Music and Prayer
Music has always been another way I connect with both creativity and faith. Playing guitar is a practice that grounds me, whether I’m learning a new song or just strumming through chords at the end of the day.
What I love about music is how it can be both deeply personal and universally shared. A song can be a private prayer when no one else is around, or it can be a way to bring people together in worship. Either way, it reminds me that creativity doesn’t have to be about producing something impressive. Sometimes it’s just about showing up, offering what you have, and letting it speak for you.
Faith in Everyday Hobbies
Not all of my hobbies are what you’d call “religious,” but I still find faith woven into them. Take something like Warhammer 40K. On the surface, it’s a tabletop game full of futuristic battles and painted miniatures. But the stories behind it deal with themes of sacrifice, hope, and struggle against overwhelming odds. When I paint those miniatures, I’m reminded that even fictional worlds can point us back to deeper truths.
Even professional wrestling—something I enjoy for its drama and storytelling—shows me echoes of faith. There’s redemption, perseverance, and the fight to overcome. It may be entertainment, but the themes resonate because they tap into the same human stories that faith traditions have carried for centuries.
Living Faith Daily
Faith isn’t just about Sunday mornings or reading scripture. For me, it’s about how I approach everyday life. It’s in how I care for others, how I spend my time, and how I try to stay present in both small tasks and big challenges. Creativity fits into this rhythm as a daily reminder that life itself is a canvas.
Whether I’m painting, gaming, playing music, or simply making dinner, I try to see those acts as opportunities to express gratitude and presence. Creativity is one of the ways I keep faith alive in ordinary moments, not just in big, dramatic experiences.
What Creativity and Faith Teach Each Other
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that creativity teaches me about faith, and faith teaches me about creativity. Art reminds me that beauty often comes from imperfections, and faith reminds me that even in struggles, there is purpose.
Together, they keep me grounded. They remind me to slow down, to notice the details, and to trust in a process bigger than myself. They help me see that every brushstroke, every note, every moment of imagination is part of a larger story that I’m both living and creating.
When I look back at the hobbies and interests that have shaped my life—painting, music, gaming, reading—I see that they all circle back to the same truth: we’re made to create and to believe. Creativity and faith aren’t separate paths for me; they’re threads of the same fabric.
Every time I sit down with a brush or guitar, I feel a little closer to God. Not because I’ve made something perfect, but because I’ve shown up, put in the effort, and let myself be part of something bigger. That’s what faith feels like, too.
So for me, creativity and faith aren’t just hobbies or beliefs—they’re a way of living, a daily reminder that life itself is both a gift and a work of art.
