As we already mentioned, faith is a spiritual facility, which allows people to shape substance. But what is substance, and how does this "shaping" process relate to our daily life?

Charles Fillmore wrote on substance that it is "everywhere present, pervades all things, and inspires to action. It underlies all manifestations and is the spiritual essence, the living energy out of which everything is made". Substance, therefore, is a metaphysical idea that helps us to give a meaningful description of certain spiritual processes. But, in truth, even those people who are not aware of its existence or simply don't believe in it, are using it all the time.

Substance is always ready to provide all that is necessary for all living creatures. It is generous beyond our greatest expectations - and yet, we need to appropriate it through faith, otherwise it won't do for us anything good. Substance is formless - but our faith gives it definite form and shape.

"Shaping substance" sounds like a deep and profound idea, but it is something people do all the time, whether consciously or unconsciously. In our common language, we call this process creativity. The power to shape substance means the power to create on different planes of existence.

Being made according to the image of the Creator, we are creators. Our divine destiny is creative self-expression. Being God's works of art, we are called to artistic work in our own special ways.

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them".
Ephesians 2:10

We should be aware of the fact that mental creations are not less real than physical ones. Indeed, "thoughts are things". They live, move, and have their being in the invisible realm, from which they become visible. "By faith we understand that what is seen was made out of things which do not appear" (Hebrews 11:3, RSV).

All creation begins on invisible plane. We accept a certain idea, and then send it forth into our surrounding mental atmosphere, where it grows and matures. A seed is planted. As we reinforce this idea through consistent thoughts, prayers, and meditations, it becomes strong and influential. It attracts similar ideas and affects minds of other people. It prepares channels for further expression. And, in a due time, this idea becomes materialized. It clothes itself in "flesh and blood". Then, the process of its development continues at another level.

Creativity is common to all people, regardless of their beliefs, and we should consider faith as the power behind creativity. It is a great mistake to reduce faith to religious experiences of an individual. Great creators and great achievers are people of uncommon faith - at least, in areas of their achievements.

Creative people have confidence in the world where they live. They are assured that the universe is a friendly and orderly place, where they can act in positive way and get definite results. Unlike them, those people who believe that the universe is disorganized or governed by capricious and unpredictable God, do not have a firm foundation for action. Therefore, they often fail in their creative endeavors.

Another common characteristic of creative individuals is self-reliance, or self-trust. They are assured that they are valuable and good. They don't question the fact that the world needs things that they have to offer. This attitude allows them not to be discouraged in the face of possible rejection or criticism.

"Good works", which are mentioned in the Bible verse above, cannot be reduced to acts of kindness, although they are also necessary. Creative acts mean birthing, bringing forth new ideas, new values, new opportunities, new beauty, and new freedom into the world. This is the work where everyone has a role to play.