BOOST #002: Finding Inspiration in God's Word 📖
Enriching Your Art, Transforming Your Message, and Creating Generously.
📖 SCRIPTURE:
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105)
💖 DEVOTIONAL:
You finally find some free time to unleash your creativity, so you head to your workspace. Eager to start, you whip out your tools and supplies. But as you gaze upon the blank canvas, an unexpected feeling of uncertainty sets in: you can't seem to find any inspiration to begin.
It’s not a case of creative block. In fact, you have lots of ideas swirling through your head. Instead, it’s that dreadful feeling of lacking direction and inspiration for your art.
In times like these, turning to God's Word can be a great source of motivation, deeper purpose and creativity.
Here’s a fact: The Bible is a rich source of truth, wisdom, and beauty that can inform, direct and enrich our craft. Psalm 119:105 reminds us that God's Word serves as a lamp and light to guide us through life's challenges and find our way. In the same way, let it lead you through times of creative uncertainty.
To tap into the creative inspiration in God's Word, make reading and meditating on it a regular habit. This can be achieved through daily devotions, a weekly Bible study group, or just taking time to read a few verses every day.
Immerse yourself in His Word. Allow it to transform your thoughts & give you a grander perspective of the ideas you seek to express. Let the depth of His love inspire you to create from a place of selflessness and generosity. Let every Word of God influence and shape the message you aim to communicate, so that it ultimately points towards the intended purpose of all art—bringing glory to Him. ☝️
🙏 PRAYER:
Dear Lord, I come to You today with a grateful heart, seeking Your guidance and inspiration in my creative pursuits. I know that You are the source of all creativity and that Your Word is a rich source of truth, wisdom, and beauty. Help me to turn to Your Word for direction and motivation. May I make reading and meditating on it a regular habit, finding peace and purpose in Your words. Reshape my thoughts and allow me to see the ideas I seek to express through the perspective of your Word. Fill me with Your love and inspire me to create generously. May Your Word influence the message I aim to communicate, so that all my work may ultimately bring glory to Your name. Amen.
😌 APPLICATION ACTIVITY:
1️⃣ God-breathed inspiration.
Reflect on 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Read the verse aloud 3 times, emphasising different words in each repetition. How does understanding this truth affect how you view God’s word as a source of inspiration for your art?
2️⃣ Create with intention.
This week, practice creating art with the intention of bringing glory to God and serving others, allowing His love to guide your decisions and influence the message of your art. Don’t know where to start? Check out this week’s CREATIVE CHALLENGE below 👇
💡 PRACTICAL TIPS:
⚱️ Spend time in prayer and meditation: Start your creative process with a time of prayer. Just as a potter molding clay into a desired shape, you can surrender your art and ask God in prayer to guide and shape it according to His purpose. This can be a humbling & empowering experience, allowing you to create from a place of obedience, while being confident that your work is being infused with divine inspiration and direction.
👂 Listen to Podcasts: There are lots of resources out there for Christian creatives. If you're one who enjoys listening to podcasts, @jakedoberenz curated a great list on podchaser.com if you're looking for messages that encourage and educate Christian artists, creators, and innovators.
📚 Invest in good books: Investing in good books can greatly enhance our skills and understanding of our craft. Reading not only broadens our knowledge but also sharpens our ability to effectively convey the message we want to impart through our art. Furthermore, it provides us with new perspectives, inspirations, and insights that can inform and deepen our creative process.
What are your favorite books for Christian artists? Share them in the comments!
💪 CREATIVE CHALLENGE: "SHINE BRIGHT"
Create a visual artwork* following this guideline:
💡 Use the idea of “LIGHT” as a concept for your artwork.
*This can be anything from a photograph, to a graphic design poster, to a GIF animation, to a typography work. Basically, if you can share it on Instagram, you’re on the right track!
🤩 WE’D LOVE TO SEE YOUR CREATIONS! Share your finished work on social media with the hashtag: #IndieBeginningBoost and get a chance to be featured on the next issue!
📅 Deadline: Feb 11, 2023.
⭐ ART FEATURE:
Last week’s challenge was to create an artwork inspired by Psalm 46:10. Here’s a thoughtful digital collage by Millicent! Check out here work here: @unmutedclay.
Want to see your work get featured? Use the hashtag: #IndieBeginningBoost on your Instagram uploads to get a chance to be part of our weekly newsletter! 😎
Hey, creatives! 👋
Thanks for all the feedback you sent on our first release! For one, the previous week’s challenge seemed to be a bit too hard for most of our readers. So we’re dialing down the complexity of the challenge this week! Hopefully, this minor tweak encourages you to actually create & share your creativity with the community!
We really value your comments and we hope to hear more from you guys in the weeks to come!
Much love,
Brian Vee,
Founder, Indie Beginning