The Virtue of Creative Joy

Author: Sagesse Bezalel

According to Bergson, it is our activity, or it is the actions that we carry out in life, that brings about the possibility of “joy”. Joy comes from successful creation. Wherever there is joy, there is creation and the richer the creation, the deeper the joy. 

From this perspective, we can say in simple terms that, joy is a good quality that comes from experiencing positive emotions over and over again. It happens when we believe something is really important or meaningful, and it shapes how we think and act. Our actions are driven by these feelings and thoughts, and when we make joy a regular part of our lives, it can become a lasting habit.

There is a unique virtue embedded in the process of creation, one that brings joy not only to the creator but also to those who experience the work. This is the virtue of creative joy, a gift that is both deeply personal and profoundly communal. The story of Creation, powerfully reflects this virtue. In the beginning, God’s act of creating the world was not just a demonstration of power, but an expression of boundless joy. 

Each day of creation brought forth new life, form, and beauty. “And God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1:10), these words repeated at the end of each phase of successful work reflect the gravity of satisfaction and joy that God felt beholding His creation. This creativity was not out of necessity or obligation, but from the sheer delight of bringing something new into existence and God, having an omniscient characteristic expressed this virtue of joy even with a prior knowledge of what His creation would look like yet he felt joyful beholding the beauty of his creation. This is worthy of emulation!

As human beings, made in the image of God, we, too, have been gifted with the ability to create. Consider Noah, another biblical figure whose story intertwines creativity and joy. Tasked with building the Ark, Noah followed God’s precise instructions to create a vessel that would save lives and preserve generations and despite the hardship and ridicules he faced, Noah’s creative work was phenomenal. He definitely derived joy knowing he pleased God in obedience and extended a chance for continued existence, also majorly in being able to save his family through the blessed works of his hands. 

In our lives today, tapping into this creative joy means embracing our ability to bring something new into the world with a sense of purpose. Like God in the creation story, we find joy in every step of the process, knowing that our creativity is good, and that it adds value to the world. Also, like Noah, we are often tasked with difficult creative tasks, ones that require perseverance, and just as God delighted in the goodness of His creation, so should we find joy in ours. 

The virtue of creative joy is transformative, it not only brings beauty into the world, but it also changes us, aligning us with the deep, joyful spirit of creation that flows from God Himself.