Never Ask Me to Bake a Cake (a creative girl’s saving grace)

My heart is stirred by a noble theme

as I recite my verses for the king;

my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

Psalm 45:1

There’s creative, and then there’s CREATIVE.

I’m blessed to know a few women who are good at “making beautiful” everything they touch. They are artisans, craftswomen, and people with more skills than I can even imagine.

Do you know some of these creative girls as well?

I’ve written a lot over the years about serving in your God-given strengths, and I still believe that there is nothing better than glorifying God and edifying the body of Christ with our gifts.

But have you ever tried to step outside of those gifts and do things that just weren’t “you”?

Once, I volunteered to make a cake for a baby shower.

Oh, the tragedy.

I still feel an anxious rise in my chest as I think of that hideous cake.

Here’s the brief checklist of disaster from that fateful day:

√ didn’t like baking

√ waited until the last minute

√ attempted to frost uneven, stacked cakes before they’d cooled

Not. Good.

Ladies, you HAVE to believe me when I say that this was the saddest, most pathetic baby shower cake in all of history. And I hope by some miracle the friend I baked it for has completely forgotten about it. (If you’re reading this, please tell me you have!)

Not only did I rush my baking endeavor, I attempted to cover the lumpiness with more and more frosting. I sent my husband to the store 3 TIMES to get cans of the disgustingly sweet confection.

Until…

The poor, lopsided cake couldn’t stand under the weight. The air conditioner in our little apartment wasn’t keeping things cool that hot July day and the frosting became a hot, slick mess.

I did the only thing I could think of.

I found a wide, yellow ribbon and TIED the layers together by wrapping it around the whole cake and attaching a big fat bow. (sort of like “Tie a Yellow Ribbon ‘Round the Old Oak Tree)

Aren’t you just cringing right now?

Needless to say, I took that heap-of-a-mess to the baby shower, where the temperature in the room must have been 90 degrees, and watched it all but slide off of the cake table.

I could have died.

Praise the Lord for His saving grace, right? Cuz I sure needed it that day and every day since.

I’ve learned the hard way that my creativity is NOTHING without His touch. In fact, I read something inspiring this morning, right in the middle of Exodus.

And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship…I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans… Exodus 31:3-6 (emphasis mine)

Doesn’t that passage inspire you?!

Those gifted artisans were creating beautiful things for God…a Holy God who deserved the best.

Ladies, that is sweet music to this creative girl’s ears! My biggest need isn’t more training, schooling, courses, or classes. Those things are useful and good, don’t get me wrong. But what is most needed is the filling of the Holy Spirit.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve tried so many things apart from His anointing. 

But each and every time I try to “go it alone” and “take it upon myself,” it ends up like that goopy cake.

I’ve learned to stick to the exact thing God has stirred in my heart. In fact, here’s the Bible verse I’ve chosen for my business as a writer and speaker.

My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king;

my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. (Psalm 45:1)

From that verse, I chose my trade name, Noble Theme Press.

From that verse, I’m reminded of my God-given strengths and calling.

From that verse, I’m convicted to only write or speak things that are stirred by the Holy Spirit and honorable to the King of Kings.

Has God given you a Biblical theme for your life? A verse that describes your heart for Him?

Ladies, no matter what your talent, the Holy Spirit is the best skill booster on the planet! He’s always ready to fill us creative girls with wisdom and direction. We only need to ask. 

So, I’ve got a creative challenge for you, even if you think you don’t have a creative bone in your body. (Remember you are God’s workmanship! Ephesians 2:10)

I want you to share in the comments one or two things that you are skilled at; things you are “stirred” to do. And if you’re led, please share about a time when you may have stepped outside of the Holy Spirit’s blessing and tried to create something in your own strength. (It can’t be more shaming than my cake debacle!)

Perhaps, by sharing our stories, we will be encouraged by one another, to stick with our God-given gifts.

Let’s be filled with the Holy Spirit and create beautiful things for His glory!

It doesn’t matter what vocation you’re in. God gives wisdom, understanding, and knowledge for every skill set. 

• art
• writing
• baking (bless your heart)
• homemaking
• coaching
• mentoring
• music
• tutoring
• teaching
• leading
• serving
• hospitality
• health and fitness
• decorating
• administration

I wish I could meet with each of you face-to-face and hear all about what makes you tick. I would pray with you and encourage you to do that very thing with your whole heart as if working for the Lord and not men. (Colossians 3:23)

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. (1 Corinthians 12:4-6)

“Holy Spirit, You are welcome here.” Let that be the desire of our hearts as we create masterpieces for the King!

Always an email away,

Jennifer