An encouragement for this week from the book “The Heart of the Artist” by Rory Noland:
2 Timothy 1:7.. Says that God has not given us a, “spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline”
While it’s inappropriate for us to be cocky about our talents, it’s okay for a Christian to be confident during a performance. If you acknowledge that your talent comes from God and give Him the glory, it’s OK to walk onstage and be confident that you can do what He’s calling you to do. It’s OK to be confident if your confidence is in Him.
Praying that if you are struggling with not feeling good enough, talented enough, or experienced enough to use your gifts that you will find encouragement from this verse today. Know that God gave YOU the talents He did and He is giving you the spirit of power to do something AMAZING with those gifts and talents. It might be something as amazing as awakening to who you were created to be and how much God endears and loves you. Or, it might be as amazing as letting your work speak God’s message of love and truth into someone’s life through something you created/sung/played/carved, etc. Or yet still, it might be as amazing as touching someone’s life when they see your gifts in action and noticing that there is something “different” about you...something “not of this world/culture” that will get them pondering what is that “hope that lies within you” (i.e. your relationship with God, 1 Peter 3:15) and want to know more about what drives you.
Praying for you,
Stacey
An encouragement from the August 2012 Worship Leader Magazine column by Rory Noland:
Timothy 1:6.. says, “fan into flame the gift of God which is in you.”
Jesus taught faithful stewardship of the talents we’re given (Matt 25:14-30). 1st Chronicles 25:7 tells us that the artists in the Old Testament were all trained. So we too need to fan into flame the talent God gave us, steward it well, and continue to grow and develop as artists. To keep my artistic side alive, I ask myself the following question, “What is the next step for me artistically?” After pondering that question you might get out and attend a quality concert/play/movie...buy the latest recording from your favorite artist...take a class or lessons...or read a book or magazine or attend a conference to improve your craft.
In the article this was taken from Rory talks about being challenged to develop his artistic gifts while doing his daily job. He didn’t think there would be time for both. What he realized was that he had to be intentional of MAKING time for his artistic gifts. He had to fight for that time.
I can totally relate as the daily grind seems to take all my free time and by the end of the day if it’s not midnight and I’m falling into bed...I still have so little energy left to put into doing something to train my artistic gifts after my daily “to do” list has been achieved. I’ve found I have to MAKE time somewhere in my week. Maybe something else can wait while I take time for this important aspect of nurturing my creative soul & being a good steward with the gifts God has given me. When I do make time it just feeds my soul and lights me up...does it do that for you too? To get to do those things you are gifted in and have a passion for that often get neglected in light of so-called “more important stuff” like mowing the lawn, doing laundry, running errands, paying bills, etc. Those things are important obviously and somehow all of that stuff makes its way onto our schedules and time for our gifts gets knocked off our calendars. Isn’t our body, soul & spirit just as important (if not more so) and worth fighting for? : )
Praying for you,
Stacey
An encouragement for this week from the book “Thriving as an Artist in the Church” by Rory Noland:
Isaiah 41:10... says,“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Don’t be afraid to fail. It can make you better. As weightlifters know...you can’t build up muscles without first tearing them down, and you don’t do that without reaching the point of failure. I think that’s true for artists as well. Failure can bring growth and renewal into our lives if we can learn from our mistakes. Attempting to learn something from my failures has liberated me from my natural tendency to berate myself for past failures and has allowed me to reach forward enthusiastically to what lies ahead.
Praying that if you are currently struggling with some failures in your life...or your being held back from ones in your past...that you would find healing and liberation by looking at that event(s) through a new lens...one of positive learning that will make you better and stronger for your next creative attempts or endeavors! I think of how many famous artists (writers, painters, musicians) that “failed” over and over but they just kept at it and have amazing stories to tell!! Just like how many creative attempts & failures were made in the light bulb, electricity, and the phone inventions! Praying you will keep on creating & attempting new things in whatever your passion areas are!!
Praying for you,
Stacey
An encouragement for this week from the book “Thriving as an Artist in the Church” by Rory Noland:
Philippians 2:4.. says, We are “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Grabbing attention is a misguided attempt to cure our loneliness and avoid feelings of alienation. You can tell how badly you hunger for attention by the way you react when you don’t get any. That’s why the Lord might continue to put us in situations in which we feel ignored and insignificant until we’re forced to deal with this unhealthy tendency. Most often when we think we need attention from others, that’s not what we need at all. We need to give attention to others.
This was such a good reminder for me to look outside myself to those around me. I can fall victim myself to feeling ignored or insignificant and then get depressed when I feel no one notices me or is giving attention to me. I think that’s part of the creative spirit...we can be so very sensitive which is a GOOD thing which helps us communicate in creative and real ways...but can also have a “shadow” side that can take us into a dark place in our minds feeling all alone when we really aren’t. Even when things seem that way the truth is that our Creator (God) is ALWAYS with us and He is ALWAYS interested in us, what we think, what we’re doing, what we’re feeling/experiencing, etc. And I love the reminder in this verse to look outside myself and see who I might encourage by being interested in them and what they are doing instead of getting so hung up with myself. I might be missing some great opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus to someone close by! : )
Praying that you will know how interesting and special you are...especially to your Creator...and that you will find ways to encourage and give attention to those people God has placed around you and that by doing that you will be blessed in ways you never saw coming and that will bring life to your soul!
Praying for you,
Stacey
An encouragement for this week from the book “The Heart of the Artist” by Rory Noland:
Psalm 18:19.. says, “...He (God) delights in me”
Did you know that God delights in you? He created you and He enjoys being with you. He enjoys seeing you grow. He enjoys watching you be what He created you to be. He enjoys watching you use your talent—every time you perform or create. He delights in you.
Many artists are feelers. We relate to the world around us based on our feelings, but that’s dangerous because our feelings change. What influences our feelings most is what we believe in our minds. If we fill our minds with the truth about God’s love, we will feel more of His love, but making the connection between the brain and the heart is not always easy. Whether I feel His love or not, I can’t argue with the truth of God’s Word.
Praying that you will take in the truth from God’s Word today that you are LOVED and DELIGHTED in by God Himself. If you are feeling challenged in that area based on current circumstances, tough relationships, not-so-nice words spoken to or over you by others or even your inner “judge”, that you will be able to lean into and soak in the real truth about you....that God delights in YOU...and let that fill your mind and heart today and bring healing and joy to your soul!
Praying for you,
Stacey
An encouragement for this week from the book “The Heart of the Artist” by Rory Noland:
Romans 12:5.. says, “In the same way, even though we are many individuals, Christ makes us one body and individuals who are connected to each other.”
Many of us are more introverted by nature; we’re lone rangers. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be very relational, you need to learn how to relate to, and get along with, other artists. Even if you’re extremely introverted, you’re deceived if you think you can live a meaningful existence isolated from others or live the Christian life apart from other believers. We need fellowship. We can’t be lone rangers. We need each other. To know and be know is a basic human need.
So when I first read this I had a major knee-jerk reaction of, “Oh yeah!?!? I can do it (life) on my own!” Being an introverted person myself I share who I am with very few people. It’s always been “safe” to do that and it’s out of my comfort zone to “go make friends”. If they befriend me then that’s great..but I have a hard time initiating that or going below the surface with people and being in meaningful relationship with them. God has obviously been growing me in this area and showing me through verses like the one above that He did not create us to be “lone rangers” but He created us to be connected to one another...a “family”...His family. And even if my earthly family wasn’t close and full of meaningful relationship, He’s showing me there is a different picture/definition of what family is...His definition of family...and it’s a good one. He’s also been showing me how being in meaningful relationship with others can really benefit my soul and heart...especially when tough times come so you don’t feel all alone and there are people to encourage you and be there for you...and when great times come you have people who can celebrate with you and share in your joy. Both just fill up your heart and soul!! Better than being a “lone ranger” does. : )
Praying that if you struggle with being in meaningful relationship with others as I do that God would meet you in that place, bring healing to your heart/soul if you need that, and bring you the courage to live dangerously...okay maybe courageously is a better word : )...in this area of venturing out to places outside your comfort/safe zone to build meaningful relationships.
As Rory goes on to say in his book, “Relationships don’t happen overnight; they need to be cultivated.” Or as the saying goes, “It takes a long time to build an old friend.” So why not start now with a “baby step” now and see what happens? : )
Praying for you,
Stacey
An encouragement for this week from the book “Thriving as an Artist in the Church” by Rory Noland:
2 Timothy 1:9.. says, “(God has) saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace.”
Often we artists desperately hunger for someone important to validate us. We yearn for someone whose opinion we trust to tell us what we’re good at so we can go about doing it. We all want to impact others and feel like we’re playing a significant role. However, if we withhold our time, talent, and energy until someone empowers us to play that role, we may miss it altogether. God is the One who calls us to a life of purpose and meaning. Our validation, our empowerment, comes from Him. So keep seeking first His kingdom and He will provide your sense of purpose and accomplishment. Meanwhile, don’t hold back. Don’t stand still. Move forward on whatever path the Lord puts you.
I had a great conversation last night with one of the members of our arts team. They were asking about whether or not to pursue your dreams...for fear of not being able to do what it is you long to do. I can relate so strongly to that as I pursued my own dreams/passion of being a professional actor beginning from the time I was in school. You come across so many “road blocks” as you pursue your dreams including what Rory talks about above...wanting someone to tell you “yes, you can do this”, “yes, you are good enough....talented enough, etc.”.
A book I read years ago that might encourage you and help you (as it did me) if you are looking to pursue your God-given dreams and passions is called “The Dream Giver” by Bruce Wilkinson. This talks about how God is THE dream giver...and we were not given our dreams, passions, talents for no reason. There IS a reason and we ARE to pursue them. I love what Rory says about letting God be the One who validates you instead of looking to the world, family, friends, colleagues, or other artists in your field to do so. Look to the One who created you and “don’t hold back”...”don’t stand still”...and “move forward on whatever path the Lord puts you.” I did that with much fear, but hope and trust in God about 10 years ago. Although I’m not where I thought I would be in my pursuit of my professional acting dream, God put me on some different paths along the way BECAUSE I pursued the dreams and passions He gave me. And those paths led to an amazing place doing something I really love using my passions, talents, & having even better dreams. AND I’ve had many amazing adventures/experiences along the way that would never have happened if I had just stayed still.
Praying these words encourage you today to take your box of dreams/passions/talents down off the shelf, blow the dust off, and seek God with them and then....stop being still and start moving down the path and see what happens!!
Praying for you,
Stacey
