WHY DO YOU DO THIS CREATIVE THING?

Why are you a creator? What is it that brought you to put pen to paper, paint to canvas, a photo to a camera lens? You have words dancing inside your head needing a physical form. Something inside is begging to be released and you have to let it go free. Why?

You could be playing a game on the computer or watching Netflix instead of using the screen for typing your ideas. Your eyes keep scanning as you work the keys in creating a graphic art piece. Your fingers are cramped from holding a paintbrush. But no you cannot stop. You are expressing something and again the question comes…

WHY?

God has you. Not only does God have you but God has given something of Himself to you that needs to be expressed.

God has given His LOVE and HIMSELF to you in a special, unique, and creative way. What else can you do?

As Creatives, we sometimes walk a fine, emotionally-challenged line as we flow in our art, We hesitate because we are fearful of being misunderstood. Possibly, we misunderstand ourselves and the freedom we have been given because of what we take on from the past.

Have you heard these comments placed on your shoulders?

• You are being ridiculous. Just forget it.
• You can’t make money at this. Pick a job that will support you til you at least get married.
• What makes you think you can write or create anything someone will want to buy or even read. It has all been done already.
• This activity is not really serving Jesus, is it?
• You are just showing off or trying to draw attention to yourself (this last one is my loudest enemy☹).

These statements and more are the lies that keep us from participating in the intimate love God is sharing with us.

Give yourself permission to breathe. What are your own hesitations?

God may be extending His hand to go deeper with HIM into something special, Be open to the wonderful unique calling He has laid out for you.

Our gifts are not from God to us, but from God through us to the world. ______When we try to live without exercising our artistic gifts, we may feel restless and empty. Life lacks fullness. Something buried deep within longs to emerge.

The Creative Call by Janice Elsheimere

How does one go from the deep fear of rejection and not being understood to boldly and confidently walking in the truth?

The simple answer to all of the tough questions in life ——

JESUS!

God made it clear to all that although Jesus had not done anything special, that He was special..

Matthew 3:17 The Voice (VOICE)

Voice from Heaven: ¹⁷ This is My Son, whom I love; this is the Apple of My eye; with Him I am well pleased.

Jesus was the Son of God, but knowing He was special did not mean everything came easy. Time and again, Jesus made it clear to His followers He needed “SPACE” and “DOWN TIME” .

So. what do really good friends do?

THEY SHARE!

Jesus is our role model in all situations. He shared with us what to do in times of uncertainty. For strength and direction, space with Papa God was absolutely necessary. How about us?.

Kelly Schamberger is an artist from our church. Her artistic ability was never in question. It is unique and superb. The question was whether to continue or lay it down.

“…there was a time when I first came to Christ that I thought I needed to give up art to follow Him… mainly that I had always considered it as a pursuit I did solely for myself and my enjoyment”

Kelly Shamberger

Kelly’s heart was to serve God, not her art. After talking with our pastor and receiving a free gift to attend a creative artists conference in Boise, Idaho, Kelly received God’s Yes to share.

“Where you lead me, I will follow. I place my trust in you.” Now Kelly is in her fourth year at a prestigious arts academy in Duluth. Greats Lakes Academy of Fine Art. http://greatlakesacademyoffineart.com/. Her degree will be as a Classically Trained Painter.

Molly Ovenden is another creative artist in our church. She did not always have the encouragement to express the love God had given to her in writing and painting. Here is a quote from Molly’s Facebook page:

“I’ve heard that it takes a certain amount of hours to be excellent at something: 10,000 hours. That’s a long time. Often I have a twinge of a feeling that how I have spent my time isn’t worthwhile. As an artist I am growing and stretching beyond my past of performance and perfectionism. I am growing to rise above that and into freedom of expression of the self that I am created to be.”

@mollyovenden

Molly is coming to the end of a month long art display of her story and work.

Both women do not want to take a step forward without a yes from the CREATOR who gives them their gifts. Do they get distracted, overwhelmed, and aready to quit during their journeys? YES! I have witnessed agony, weeping, doubt, and joy as they open their hands and hearts to release what is inside.

Jesus calls us His Friend. He chose us and put beauty inside to flow out in a wonderful fashion. As mentioned in John 15:16, things were combined together in a special way for us to be sent out and bear His never changing fruit.

If you do not feel understood or encouraged in your creativity, I know someone who absolutely comprehends and appreciates you. God Created You. Follow Jesus’s example. Spend time with Papa God. The gift and calling given to you is special. You are special .

Receive these words. Reflect upon these words., Respond to what God is sharing with you.

YOU ARE A POEMA!