The Healing Power of Creativity

A testimony of art, music, and worship

Jon Reddick

Creativity has always been a part of my life, but I never realized just how much God would use it to bring healing—not only to me but to others. Growing up, I spent a lot of time alone. After my parents divorced when I was ten, I turned to art and music as a way to process the emotions I didn’t know how to express. I’d sit in my room for hours, painting or recording music with whatever I could find, like two old tape recorders I used to layer sounds. It wasn’t fancy, but it was a way to express what I was feeling.

At the time, I didn’t know God was shaping something much bigger. It was just me trying to make sense of life. But as I look back, I see how He used those moments to plant seeds for what would become a lifelong journey of creating and connecting with others.

Creativity as a Bridge to Worship

As I got older, I began to see how creativity could be a bridge, especially in worship. Leading worship for a church that was diverse in age, culture, and background showed me just how powerful creativity could be to connect people. I remember leading a choir with members ranging from teenagers to people in their seventies. We fused hymns with contemporary gospel, finding ways to blend styles so that everyone could engage with the music in a meaningful way.

Art often reflects what God is doing in my heart, even when I don’t see it at first.

It wasn’t just about the songs—it was about creating an experience where people felt seen and connected. Worship is such a unique opportunity to bring people together under one faith, and creativity makes that possible.

Art as a Mirror of God’s Work

Painting has also been a powerful outlet for me. I often find that what I create on a canvas reflects what God is doing in my heart. One painting, in particular, stands out to me—a person holding a light bulb that wasn’t connected to anything. At the time, I didn’t realize it, but that image was speaking to a season I was in where I felt disconnected from my source of strength.

That realization didn’t come until later, but when it did, it was a reminder of how important it is to stay connected to God. That painting ended up becoming the single cover for my song “You Keep Hope Alive,” which feels like such a full-circle moment. It’s amazing how God can use creativity to teach us and speak to us, even when we don’t fully understand it in the moment.

Collaboration as a Gift

One of the most unexpected blessings of creativity has been the opportunities I’ve had to collaborate with others. Whether it’s writing songs or sharing ideas, I’ve learned that God often works through the perspectives and gifts of the people He places around us.

For example, “You Keep Hope Alive” was born out of collaboration. It started as a personal cry for hope during a hard time, but it grew into something much bigger when I brought it to friends who added their own experiences and perspectives. That process reminded me that creativity isn’t just about individual expression—it’s about community and shared stories.

The Healing Process of Creating

What I’ve learned about creativity is that it’s as much about the process as it is about the outcome. For years, I struggled with perfectionism, wanting every song or painting to be flawless before I shared it with the world. But God has taught me to value the process of creating.

Sometimes, what you create becomes a source of hope for someone else.

Sometimes I’ll start a song and come back to it months later, realizing that what I needed to say hadn’t fully revealed itself yet. Other times, I’ll work on a painting and not understand its meaning until years later. That’s the beauty of creativity—it unfolds over time, and God meets us in the process.

Encouragement for Fellow Creators

If you’re someone who feels stuck or unsure of how to move forward, I encourage you to create. You don’t have to be a professional artist or musician. Just take a step, no matter how small. Write down a thought, paint a picture, or sing a song that’s been on your heart. Let God meet you in that moment.

What I’ve discovered is that creativity isn’t just about producing something beautiful. It’s about finding healing and connection through the act of creating. And sometimes, what you create becomes a source of hope for someone else.

Jon Reddick, a worship pastor and songwriter with a passion for creating music that speaks of redemption, hope, and unity, grew up in Memphis, Tennesse, where music was woven into his life from the start. His writing reflects a deep desire to bridge divides across racial, cultural, and generational lines, drawing people together under one faith. From leading diverse choirs to penning songs that resonate with congregations worldwide, Reddick’s work invites people to experience God’s healing and connection through worship.

Now focused on his own music, Reddick blends his talents as a songwriter and visual artist to share his faith in creative ways. His debut single, “You Keep Hope Alive,” even features his artwork as its cover. With years of leading worship, touring, and fostering transparency in worship, Reddick sees his role as a conduit to help people reconcile with God and one another. His songs are an invitation to hope, healing, and unity through the power of Christ. https://www.jonreddickmusic.com/

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