Listen to this devotional:
An unbreakable spirit is one that believes in what’s possible rather than succumbing to despair. We see this spirit in a parable of Jesus about a man who responds to crisis by taking creative action:
Now Jesus was also saying to the disciples, “There was a certain rich man who had a manager [of his estate], and accusations [against this man] were brought to him, that this man was squandering his [master’s] possessions… [3] The manager [of the estate] said to himself, ‘What will I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig [for a living], I am ashamed to beg. [4] I know what I will do, so that when I am removed from the management, people [who are my master’s debtors] will welcome me into their homes.’ [5] So he summoned his master’s debtors one by one, and he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ [6] He said, ‘A hundred measures of [olive] oil.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ [7] Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ [8] And his master commended the unjust manager [not for his misdeeds, but] because he had acted shrewdly [by preparing for his future unemployment]; for the sons of this age [the non-believers] are shrewder in relation to their own kind [that is, to the ways of the secular world] than are the sons of light [the believers].” [9] And I tell you [learn from this], make friends for yourselves [for eternity] by means of the wealth of unrighteousness [that is, use material resources as a way to further the work of God], so that when it runs out, they will welcome you into the eternal dwellings.
Luke 16:1, 3-9 AMP
Luke 16:1-9 presents us with an unexpected hero—a dishonest manager who, when faced with crisis, chooses creativity over despair. Traditional interpretations of the Bible stumble over his dishonesty, missing the profound truth that Jesus himself highlighted: this man’s faith was manifested in action. Rather than becoming paralyzed by his master’s judgment, he boldly creates a future for himself where none seemed possible.
This parable’s message, however, must be balanced with the clear biblical teaching that our freedom in Christ and his gracious forgiveness should never become a license for intentional sin or moral compromise (Galatians 5:13, Jude 1:4). God’s grace frees us to live boldly by faith, not to live unwisely in sin. However, sometimes our greatest sin may not be the visible transgressions we so carefully avoid, but the invisible prison of unbelief that keeps us from acting on our faith.
The unbreakable spirit of creativity
When life is beyond our control, we can despair or create. Despair is passive, the response of the timid and unbelieving. Creativity is active, the response of the bold and believing. Yet many Christians become so focused on maintaining a spotless record that they forget the essence of faith itself—the audacity to believe in possibility when faced with impossibility.
Despair makes us preoccupied with critics, traditionalists, and the constant refrain of “It’s never been done that way before.” In our fear of failure, judgment, and mistakes, we can choose the passive path of inaction—and in doing so, fail to live by faith at all.
God’s message through this parable of the shrewd manager is revolutionary: he would rather see us act boldly in faith, even if that means imperfection, than remain paralyzed by the fear of wrongdoing. The master’s praise of the manager teaches us that God’s perspective is far more expansive than our rigid religious thinking allows. He sees beyond our missteps to recognize the deeper victory of choosing to believe in possibility.
The spirit of creativity is about daring to act when despair seems more reasonable. It’s about moving forward in repentance rather than becoming stuck in judgment. When aligned with God’s will, our God-given dreams and divine callings require us to risk failure to pursue faith-filled action. This is not reckless living, but rather the bold obedience of those who trust in his purposes and promises.
The spirit of creativity in Jingle Jangle
Jingle Jangle was the first movie to come to my mind when I considered the spirit of creativity for our seventh devotional in this “Unbreakable Spirit of Christmas” series. Four lessons from the movie can inspire us to embrace the spirit of creativity:
- Despair can trap us like a prison, making us abandon creativity. After experiencing betrayal and loss, inventor Jeronicus Jangle lets his creativity fade. His once-vibrant workshop devolves into a pawnshop—a symbol of dreams lost and creativity abandoned. The song “Over and Over” reflects the cyclical nature of his despair, a pattern many of us face amidst setbacks.
- A catalyst of fresh faith can break the cycle of despair. Transformation comes from Jeronicus’s granddaughter, Journey, whose fresh perspective and unwavering belief mirror the boldness of the manager in Luke 16:1-9. While others see impossibility, Journey perceives the “Square Root of Possible.” Her faith reignites the creative spirit in Jeronicus.
- Challenges and crises can be opportunities to create. Journey and Jeronicus, like the shrewd manager in the Bible, learn to think beyond conventional solutions. Their creativity, coupled with faith, transforms crises into opportunities. Both the manager’s cunning and Jeronicus’s renewed invention arise from believing in possibilities rather than succumbing to despair.
- God’s creative spirit can work through those who are willing to believe. The film ultimately teaches us what the parable of the shrewd manager suggests: God’s spirit empowers those who break free from despair, reimagine what’s possible, and trust he can work through their imperfect but faith-filled actions.
How do we apply this today?
The spirit of creativity lives in those who choose bold faith over paralyzing despair. God honors those who refuse to surrender to apparent dead ends and instead create new possibilities through active faith.
This creative boldness, when aligned with God’s purposes, transforms not just circumstances but souls. It helps us find purpose in our pain and help others do the same. When possessed by every believer, the spirit of creativity gives God’s people the capacity to change people’s lives for the better and, as a result, to change the world.
Questions for reflection
- In what areas might I be trapped in a cycle of despair and inaction?
- Where have I allowed fear of failure or criticism to stifle my God-given creativity?
- What innovative solution might God be prompting me to attempt?
What can I do now?
1. Choose faith over fear: In dead ends, choose to reject despair. Like the dishonest manager and Jeronicus Jangle, decide to believe in possibility, which will ignite the spirit of creativity within you.
2. Create through crisis: Develop a spiritual mindset that views challenges as God’s invitation for creative faith. Instead of getting bogged down by tradition or past setbacks, use the resources and relationships God has given you to innovate. Embrace the possibilities in crisis, trusting that God rewards those who create amid despair.
3. Build for breakthrough: Align your creativity with God’s purposes. True breakthrough occurs when your personal transformation reaches beyond you—impacting your family, your community, and even the rest of the world. This approach ensures your creative courage not only benefits you but also inspires others.
Explore more:
As the editor in chief for Deep Spirituality, Russ Ewell writes, teaches, and innovates with his eyes on the future. His teaching is rooted in providing hope for those turned off by tradition and infused with vision for building a transformative church. His passion to inspire even the most skeptical to view God through fresh eyes can be found in his book, He's Not Who You Think He Is: Dropping Your Assumptions and Discovering God for Yourself.
As the editor in chief for Deep Spirituality, Russ Ewell writes, teaches, and innovates with his eyes on the future. His teaching is rooted in providing hope for those turned off by tradition and infused with vision for building a transformative church. His passion to inspire even the most skeptical to view God through fresh eyes can be found in his book, He's Not Who You Think He Is: Dropping Your Assumptions and Discovering God for Yourself.
