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Creativity and Identity

Updated: Feb 28


I am not creative.

I cannot problem solve.

Experimenting? No thanks.


I consider myself to be; inquisitive. persistent. collaborative. disciplined. imaginative.



Laughter echoes through the clinical walls of the staff common room.


“You are so creative!"


“I wish I was creative”


What is creativity anyway?


Creativity has gained international prominence in educational research, policy, and practice¹ because of its ongoing contribution to economic growth and industrial innovation.² In the Australian context, developing ‘creative and confident citizens’ is the second of two key goals of the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration.³ The purpose of these goals is to ‘prepare young people to thrive in a time of rapid social and technological change, and complex environmental, social and economic challenges’ (p. 2). This goal is reflected in Australia’s national curriculum, where ‘Critical and Creative Thinking’ is situated as a general capability to be taught and assessed across key learning areas from Foundation to Year 10.


Creativity, beneath the careful gaze of researchers, is no longer limited to the artistic domain; rather, it is a multidimensional construct substantiated as a complex array of dispositions residing in all individuals.⁴


Seeking a concise definition of creativity, Runco and Jaeger (2012) propose that ‘originality is vital for creativity but is not sufficient’ (P. 92), advocating that a creative product is the efficient fusion between originality and task appropriateness. Elaborating on this, Glaveanu and Begetto (2021) argue that ‘novelty and meaningfulness [of a product] are not sufficient for characterising the creative experience’ (p.75), contending that creativity extends beyond the creative product, and is an experiential phenomenon emerging from the way an individual interacts with the world. Contributing to a working definition of creativity, they suggest that ‘the creative experience’ (p. 76) is characterised by (1) openness: embracing new views and perspectives to enhance adaptability and flexibility, (2) non-linearity: shifting cognitive processes from what is - to what might be, (3) pluri-perspectivism: inviting others to apply new meaning, values, and interpretations to a creative piece, and (4) future-orientation: letting future possibilities influence actions and interactions.


Expanding interdisciplinary creativity beyond the physical into the digital world, Runco (2023) offers a definition in response to artificial intelligence (AI), proposing the need for authenticity and intentionality to distinguish authentic creativity from artificial creativity. Through the presented literature, definitional creativity has considered the creative outcome,⁵ the creative experience and environment ⁶ , and the creative individual.


attempting to learn the ukulele
attempting to learn the ukulele

Creativity extends beyond the arts?


oh.


"Well. I was always good at thinking flexibly in mathematics..."


and "considering new possibilities in science..."


and "conjoining on-set and rhyme for poetic purposes..."


Does that mean I am creative?




An identity in Christ 


“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”


In a society where identity is as fluid as an uncontrolled flood, breaking through riverbanks, scripture provides an embankment that provides perspective, reason, and truth. As Christians, we have been created in likeness to God. Fearfully and wonderfully made, we have been designed to reflect the characteristics of Jesus himself.


That’s correct. Creativity is a sophisticated and marvellous feature of who God is and who we are. Creativity has boundaries that guide task appropriateness, originality, and authenticity. Scripture has boundaries that guide righteousness, identity, and purpose. These boundaries do not constrain, rather they provide a wondrous hierarchical system of rivers and streams, interconnected tributaries, that offer a sophisticated network of direction and connection.


“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”



Parting Words


So, having faithful certainty in who God created us to be, as we are sanctified daily, we can remember that as Christian Educators we are creative. You are creative. I am creative.


Therefore, the young adults, teenagers, and children that we teach, must also be perceived in the same way. Each young person has the potential to be creative. Creativity can be learned. It is not merely a genetic feature that some individuals have and some don’t. Our students are and can be creative.



For His glory,

Claire Walker



Sing to him a new song; play skilfully, and shout for joy.



Main Reference: MY THESIS - Click the link to read or download below xx





Footnotes:


  1. Holinger et al., 2024; Long et al., 2022; Moger & Bagley, 2019

  2. Harris & Ammermann, 2016; McWilliam & Haukka, 2008

  3. Australian Government, 2019

  4. OECD, 2023b

  5. Runco & Jaeger, 2012

  6. Glaveanu & Begetto, 2021


References:


Australian Government. (2019). Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration. Australian


Glaveanu, V. P., & Begetto, R. A. (2021). Creative experience: A non-standard definition of

creativity. Creativity Research Journal, 33(2), 75-80.


Harris, A. M., & de Bruin, L. (2019). Creative Ecologies and Education Futures. In C. A. Mullen (Ed.), Creativity under Duress in Education? Resistive Theories, Practices, and Actions (pp.99-115). Springer. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-90272-2


Holinger, M., Boldt, G. T., & Kaufman, J. C. (2024). Recent Trends in Creativity Research: An

Analysis of Keywords in Four Prominent Creativity Journals. Creativity Research Journal, 1-


Long, H., Kerr, B. A., Emler, T. E., & Birdnow, M. (2022). A Critical Review of Assessments of

Creativity in Education. Review of Research in Education, 46(1), 288-323.


McWilliam, E., & Haukka, S. (2008). Educating the creative workforce: New directions for twenty‐first century schooling. British Educational Research Journal, 34(5), 651-666.


Moger, P., & Bagley, C. (2019). A space for policy legacy: an ethnographic exploration of a

secondary school's commitment to creativity after national policy priorities have changed.

Ethnography and Education, 14(1), 101-118. https://doi.org/10.1080/17457823.2017.1396544


OECD. (2023). Student assessment. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. https://www.oecd.org/en/topics/sub-issues/student-assessment.html


Runco, M. A., & Jaeger, G. J. (2012). The standard definition of creativity. Creativity Research Journal, 24(1), 92-96. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2012.650092


Runco, M. A. (2023). Updating the standard definition of creativity to account for the artificial creativity of AI. Creativity Research Journal, 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2023.2257977



 
 
 

Depression, Anxiety, Hormonal Imbalance - Oh My!

It’s the morning. The shining sun is gracing the tops of the trees, the birds are singing, cars are moving, bin trucks are bustling by. It is Monday, 6:30am, the city is waking up, but I am not. I cannot. I don’t. So I roll over, toss and turn, wipe my weary eyes that cannot see beyond the doorway into my living room, let alone the doorway into the world.


The time is now 7am, I must get up. I have a full-time job. Beautiful students who need me. Lessons that need to be prepared. Programs that need to be written. A team that is patiently awaiting my participation in the next meeting. Evaluations. Annotations. Duty. Meeting.


I can’t think.

A fog.

It’s thick.


Reluctantly, I get out of bed with my hazard lights on. Cautious at what the day may hold - wanting to be authentic and real, yet wanting to protect the little ones from how I am feeling, what am I feeling? I don’t know.


School. Classroom devotions. We sing ‘His Glory and My Good’ - City Alight:


There is hope in every trial

For I can trust the Lord

He will turn my heart towards Him

And help me bear the thorn

So, in faith, I follow Jesus

On the road not understood

For I know that He is working

For His glory and my good


My mind turns to Job. I remember lament. Sadness is in the Bible. Depression is too. If faithful followers remained in Christ through the valley, surely I could too?


A lament is a prayer in pain that leads to trust. Laments are more than merely the expression of sorrow. The goal of Biblical lament is to recommit oneself to hoping in God and believing God's promises.


It is a faithful and Godly response to pain, suffering, and injustice.


Okay. It’s time for Literacy. God, please take my words, take my thoughts, take my actions. In this emptiness, I need your fullness. In this sadness, I need your presence. In these convoluted feelings, I need to fix my eyes on you. I remember:



“for we walk by faith, not by sight.”


Faith over feelings. Faith over feelings. Faith over feelings. But, LORD, the Spirit reminds me:


“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.


You have prepared a place for me. I long to be with you. In this place. Now.


Yet, I remember, by your Holy Spirit, you are here with me. In this place. In this fog.


Though I cannot see


 I feel your gentle hand holding mine


You always have. You always will.


Like a child with a blindfold on, being guided by a friend, I am being guided by You through this darkness.



“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”


I receive a text message, from a Christ-centred, gospel-focused, faithful women’s minister:


“Hey Claire, I’d love to catch up with you sometime. Do you have any free Sunday afternoons coming up?”


What will I say? I cannot articulate a simple sentence, yet express how I am feeling. I go anyway. We meet. We walk. She encourages me to seek professional help. We pray.


God has gifted medical professionals with the knowledge and expertise to meet us where we are. Numerous other friends point me in the same direction - There must be an answer to this detachment. This indifference. This hollow emptiness. These late nights dreading the morning that is to come.


Lethargy is not my normal. This is not me.


Therapy.

Psychologist.

Therapy.


Waiting rooms. Blood tests. DASS21 assessment.


Extreme Severe? oh.


medication. appointment.

repeat.


The next steps


Something must change. I still cannot think.


The days continue. Parent-Teacher meetings. Six lessons - five days a week. Thirty lessons that I need to prepare. Thirty lessons requiring annotations. Eleven programs requiring evaluations. Reports. 24 students.


I pray the very words of Jesus:


“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”


In the grace and kindness of the leadership at my school, I reduce my load to three-days a week. Now I have three days teaching. four preparing - with appointments in between.


Answers? Non-yet.


So I move doctors.


Stronger medication.

hightened hearing.

increased irritability.

nausea.

no appitite.

weight loss.


By the Grace of God, I recall a 5 minute youtube video I watched at 18 years old.


Hormones? They can be tested right? It’s all I can do. Medication is not working. Therapy is not working. The psychologist is confused, as am I.


Hormonal Imbalance 


I sit in the doctors office. I know that I am on hormonal contraception... I have been for 6 years.


“Can you please test all of my hormones?”, I say in a reluctant whisper.


“I don’t think it would be hormones - you have been on the Pill for so long...”


“Please?” - a desperate plee for answers


“Okay. Here’s the pathology form. While we are at it - let me check your thyroid too”


I receive a call. I go in. Hopeful for answers.


Low Hormones.

So low.


“Your Oestradiol levels are lower than perimenopause (<43)”

“Your progesterone levels are lower than menopause”

“Your body is not producing hormones”


oh.


I am a 25 year old female. My metabolism is functioning like a 17 year old, while my hormones are that of a 40 year old woman. WHAT?!


“I want to go off the pill.”, I say definitively.


She replies, “What are you going to do?” - the depth and intensity of her question unfathomable.


“Um. If what?”


“If you get pregnant.”


“Invite a precious life into the world...”



I pondered. Why was she so hesitant at the mention of omitting Hormonal Contracteption? In curiosity - I look it up.


What are the abortion rates in Australia?

oh.


1 in 6 women have an abortion by their mid-30s.


Professionally, she could not recommend that I go off hormonal contraception because of these rates.


My mind races - all of those women. Their little ones. God’s precious children. We must do something so that women feel supported to carry to full-term, even in the midst of crisis. I am reminded of Galatians 6:2 “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”



Growth. Change. Healing.


Fog softens into mist. Mist gathers into a seed. The seed rises into a plant, the plant into a tree - come and rest with me.


As I write this, It has been 94 days since I stopped taking hormonal contraception.


63 days since I last took an antidepressant.


By the grace of God, my hormone levels are gradually returning to normality.


Oestridol jumped from <43 to 198 pmol/L


Thyroid function is back to normal.


Progesterone is still low. 2.1 nmol/L. The lining of my uterus is not thickening. I haven’t had a cycle in 4 months. But God is good. He is healer.


He will restore the secret place of my womb.


In His time.


In His place.


Meanwhile, I sell sourdough - lot’s of it. Not to develop a business, but to raise money for First Steps Pregnancy Clinic. So that, pregnant women in crisis or who are experiencing difficult circumstances receive comprehensive care and a community of support.



Parting words


My lovely friend, if you have read to this point, I wish to thank you. This is my story. But it is ultimately God’s story that is still being written.


In these words, heavy topics have been discussed. Depression, Anxiety, Hormonal Imbalance, Fertility, Abortion.


If you feel uneasy, please seek professional help. In His great provision and grace, God has bestowed gifts upon medical professionals to interpret data and find solutions. But it is not simply up to them.


Do your research.

Understand your hormones.

Recognise how you feel.


But don’t stay stuck. There is a way out of the fog.


Test your hormones.

Know your body.

Nourish it. Care for it. Nurture it.



Yes, your body has the wondrous capacity to nurture new life. But it also has the marvellous ability to graciously nurture those around you.



“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you are with me.”



Yours in Christ,

Claire Walker




This image was taken at my lowest point. My darling. You never know what someone may be going through. Show grace, be kind, and point to Jesus - always.


Professional Help:

Click the links below.


Your GP




 
 
 

The Beauty of Christian Music

Updated: Apr 2


My Story - God's Story


Worship. Adoration. Music. Silence.


Hands raised. Eyes lifted. Voices resounding.


Hands still. Eyes low. Thoughtful contemplation.



In my own life, I’ve often paused to marvel at the beauty of music and its place in the Church - shaping personal devotion, strengthening families, enriching small groups, and enlivening classrooms.


The very nature of music is a creative flood - overflowing into countless genres, purposes, and styles, each shaped for its own occasion, space, environment, time, and place. Music is anything but rigid or stagnant; it is alive, dynamic, and deeply connected to human experience. If we want to understand the purpose and place of music within the Christian life, we must begin at the beginning: with the simple definition of music itself.


music  

[noun]

vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion 


Okay. Now lets look at the definition of worship.


[verb]

to have or show a strong feeling of respect and admiration for God


Let’s go deeper. What forms does worship embody?

praise

prayer

proclamation.

Now put them together.


[noun phrase]

a proclamation of the work of Christ, prayer to God, and praise to the Spirit of God who indwells believers.


In the following, I am going to share my personal experience of music within reformed churches, pentecostal churches, interdenominational organisations, and the wonder of Christian music within the classroom. My desire of this writing is to enrich your understanding of christian music within its different forms. I long for music to be more

than something you simply participate in, but a beautiful expression of faith, longing, hope, and joy. A meaningful articulation of praise, prayer, and proclamation.


The Primary Years: Creche, Sunday School, The Classroom


Developing Biblical literacy is crucial in the early years of a child’s life. The songs they hear, sing, shout, dance to, become beautifully embedded in their malleable minds.


Music in early childhood enhances memory, rhythm, language, and focus. Therefore, acting as a powerful cognitive tool, stimulating multiple brain areas, aiding the development of long-term memory.

According to the Queensland Government Education, “music is one of the few activities that use both sides of the brain; logical and creative”.


As an individual who grew up within the Christian context, I have been abundantly

blessed by Christian music throughout childhood.

As an infant, I attended Church music practice with my mother.

As she would rehearse for the Sunday gathering, I would sit, listen, and dance.

The music within this context was reformed theological, thoughtful, full of scripture and abundant in biblical truths. Some of these songs, I still sing these days. Some may say they are ‘outdated’, or ‘repeated too much’,

yet I say what an incredible reminder of God’s faithfulness.

The songs I sung as an infant, I still sing today - a remarkable, indescribable reminder

of God’s faithfulness.


Now, at the precious age of 5 years old, I began Kindergarten at a local Christian

school. On day one, my Kindergarten teacher brought her guitar. Once more, biblical truths were put to music - both the slow reflective form, and the boisterous - filled with movement and passion.


To illustrate the impact of Christian Music on early childhood, this is my story:


At the age of 8 years old, I found it extremely difficult to make friends.

I would collect lady bugs of trees, run around the playground,

and sit on the step of my classroom. One day, I decided that, if Jesus is my friend,

I can sing to him - and so my little 8 year old voice began to sing aloud

‘Be Strong and Courageous’ by Colin Buchanan.

Naturally, it was extremely challenging not having a buddy, so I would cry.


Yet. I would still sing...


Be strong and courageous

The Lord of the Ages

Hold all His little ones safe by His side...

Holds all His little ones safe.


I continued...


Do not fear the darkness

Do not fear the sadness

Jesus has conquered them all.


As I write this, with tears in my eyes, I listen to this song, absolutely in awe of God’s faithfulness and kindness to me. Through Christian music, the faithfulness of the adults around me, biblical truths were deeply embedded in my mind and spirit.

Listening daily to Colin Buchanan, Emu music, Morrow music, Sovereign Grace, and classic hymnals fundamentally formed my perception of music within the Christian life, simultaneously establishing a sound theological foundation.



The Highschool Years: Camps, Conferences, Changes


The powerful influence of Christian music continued.

As I aged, my exposure to Christian music shifted and evolved.

At the annual conference my family attended every year since I was one,

I first heard “One Who Saves” by Hillsong Worship in the 6-GR8 program.

This song was sung after discovering that 7,400 people groups have not yet been reached with the gospel.

The Joshua Project outlines that there are, this day, 135,000,000 unreached Shaikh of Bangladesh, 59,000,000 unreached Brahman of India, 58,000,000 unreached Yadav of India, and 37,000,000 unreached Java Pesisir Lor of Indonesia.

This is not accounting for all individuals. All lives. All souls. Around the world.


So we sang:

Come join the song

Lift your voice

As heaven and earth give praise


Turn from old ways

Lift your eyes

For the kingdom of God is here

Open your heart

Offer all

For Jesus Christ is here



And the chorus resounded:


we have found our hope

we have found our peace

we have found our rest

In the One who loves


He will light the way

He will lead us home

As we offer all

To the One who saves us



Tears were in my eyes - but the different kind. An indescribable reverence.

A desperate plee. An unfathomable grace. Yes - emotion in music.

The Holy Spirit deeply at work in my heart revealing God’s purpose for us - to take the gospel to all nations.


Concurrently, my Sister was 15, turning 16. She had introduced me to

‘Chains are Broken’ and ‘Praise Overflows’ by Soul Survivor.

In these fundamental pre-teen and teenage years, I discovered expression and may

I say it, the Holy Spirit, at work through music.


Now I have a theological foundation AND the incomprehensible realisation that God’s Spirit can be felt. Experienced. Realised.


Many years passed, and my best friend from school and I decided to move to a local Pentecostal church up the road. Admittedly, there was hesitation from brothers and

sisters within the reformed church. We went anyway.


WOW! We realised that the theological foundation we had acquired could be

brought into a vivid, dimensional, kaleidoscope of abundant colour and reality. The Scriptures were no longer black and white scribbles on a page, but a truth and actuality that could change our lives. The life of Jesus could be emulated, in us, 15 year old girls. So, we sang. We jumped. We went to Hillsong Conference - TWICE. We were in that Young and Free mosh pit, because if you can dance, sing, lift your hands in

celebration of popular music, how much more could you dance in celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. Through Hillsong, Bethel, and Elevation music, I discovered a deep heart posture. Eyes that were truly fixed on King Jesus with a fearful reverence that would dictate the course of my life.


So life continued - I joined the worship team, attended bible study,

established a Christian group at school with some wonderful, faithful friends and

attended church on the weekly.


Time for a decision - LIFE


Now it is College - Year 11 and 12. It is decision time. What will I do with myself?

What is the purpose of my life? How can I reconcile years of seeing God’s faithfulness

into a future that proclaims his name?


That’s it - a gap year. A gap year that focusses on cross-cultural mission.

And to do that, I will need to move from Canberra to Sydney at just 18. God’s got this.

He always has. He always will.


God is sovereign. He is to be feared. Jesus is the Old Testament fulfilled. There is a desperate need to share the gospel - surely that must mean overseas mission.

Yet, on this gap year, I attended a Buddhist temple, an Islamic mosque, and tended to infants of Muslim women at an English Second Language (ESL) in the heart of Lakemba. Astounded, I realised that the world has come to Sydney.


Cross-cultural mission can begin now. Here. With me - with us - with the church. There are souls searching for purpose, meaning, and hope. How could we withhold such a resounding, urgent truth?


In light of this, I enrolled in a Bachelor of Global Studies and returned to Canberra. Yet, this degree is not what I expected. In Ephesians 6:12, Paul states that


“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of

evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God.”


This degree was proudly preaching against the truths of scripture. So, I left.


As I moved back to Canberra, I met a handsome man. He is now my husband of

5 years - now that’s another God story!

Together, we thought - if not Global Studies - then what?


Children. Infants. I love them. They are precious. To be adored. To be nurtured. Jesus himself states

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”


What if... I could help the little children come to Jesus. That’s it. Primary Education. So I moved back to Sydney, got hitched, and continued my degree.


During this time, I worked as Assistant Children’s Minister and SRE coordinator at my local Anglican Church. God is faithful.


In the moment - right here, right now


Now, I have graduated with a Bachelor of Primary Education (Honours) and

teach both at a wonderful local Christian school. By God's grace, scripture can go into local public schools, so I teach the bible there too.

Yes - I am bringing my guitar.

Yes - The truths of the gospel will resound within each classroom that I step into.


6 years after finishing my Diploma of Theology, I am returning to complete my

Bachelor of Theology - forever praying to be;


Christ-centred

Gospel-focused

Spirit-lead



Parting words


My darling friend, if you have read to this point. Thank you.


It is my deepest prayer and longing that you would remain in Jesus. In life, there are moments when you may not be able to see beyond the thick fog.

Life may be unbearable, unspeakable, hopeless, confusing - without direction. Medical diagnoses are real. Debilitating. Haunting. But they do not define you.


My love, please fix your eyes on Jesus and follow His ways.


There is forgiveness, there is grace, there is hope for you.


I have been there. I am through it. I can now look back and see God’s goodness, faithfulness, and abounding grace. One day you will see God’s big picture.

Now you may not - that’s okay. Just keep going. Keep breathing. Keep persevering.

Most of all, keep playing that Christian music - because one day you will listen to that same song and be brought to tears with the rich love, compassion, and grace found in Christ alone.


You are loved and have the most beautiful purpose in God’s great salvation plan.

My advice? Discover the gifts and talents that have been bestowed upon you.

Sweet friend, do not bury these gifts.


Grow them.

Share them.

Use them.

For HIS glory.



Yours in Christ,

Claire Walker


You can contact me at: hello@nancymaeco.com

Instagram: nancymaeco


 

 

 

 
 
 
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