BOOST #003: Creativity, Authority & Stewardship 🍇
Using Our Creative Gifts to Shape Culture for Christ
👋 Hey, creatives! Apologies for the delay of this week’s issue. To make up for the late drop, instead of selecting only 15 winners for our 5K giveaway, we’re giving away our FREEBIES to EVERYONE who has access to BOOST! 👇Continue reading for the download link. Have a blessed week everyone!
💖 DEVOTIONAL:
📖 SCRIPTURE:
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms." (1 Peter 4:10)
Before we labeled ourselves as Christian creatives, we are first children of God. As such, we are called to be stewards of all that He has given us, including our creativity.
It is our responsibility to use our creative giftings wisely and to its full potential. It is not enough to simply have creative ideas and thoughts, we must take action and put them into practice.
As a full-time graphic artist for my local church, I have personally seen the power of using my creativity for God's glory. When I began using my artistic talents for ministry, I found a new level of fulfillment and purpose. Not only was I able to do what I love doing (creating & designing stuff), but I was able to bless others and deepen my own faith as I saw how God was using my gifts.
When we act on our creative ideas, we are exercising our authority as co-creators with God. We are using our gifts to shape and influence the culture around us, to bring light and hope to a world that desperately needs it. But when we do not act on our creative ideas, we forfeit the authority that God has given us. We must not let our creativity go to waste!
The Bible tells us that God is a God of action, not just of words. In the same way, our creativity must be accompanied by action if it is to have any real impact. We are called to stir up our creativity, to bring it to life, and to use it for the glory of God.
So let us take responsibility for our creativity, and let us use it for the good of others. Let us be good stewards of the gifts that God has given us, and let us use them to bring hope, light, and love to a world that needs it.
🙏 PRAYER:
Dear Lord, we are grateful for the gift of creativity you have given us. Today, we recognize our responsibility to steward this gift, using it to its full potential and for your glory. Help us not to be content with just having creative ideas, but to act on them and bring them to life. Replace our fears and doubts with confidence and hope. Empower us to shape and influence the world around us, spreading hope, light, and love through our creativity. We pray that we would use our gifts wisely, not wasting them but putting them to work for the good of others. Help us to find fulfillment and purpose in using our creativity for your kingdom. Thank You for the authority you have given us as co-creators with you. May our creativity bring You honor and glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.
😌 APPLICATION ACTIVITY:
1️⃣ Bring old dreams to life:
Make a list of all the creative ideas and projects that you have been thinking about but have not yet acted on. Consider what is holding you back from pursuing these projects. Choose one and make a plan to bring it to life. This could be as simple as starting a sketch, writing a poem, or composing the first rough lines of a song. Make a commitment to taking action and bringing your creativity to life.
1️⃣ Share it with the world (or with a friend)
Share your finished project (or your WIP if you’re not quite there yet) with people. If “the world” feels too daunting, start with someone close to you, whether it be a friend, family member, or accountability partner. Talk about why you decided to act on this creative idea and ask for support as you bring it to fruition.
💡 PRACTICAL TIPS:
🤩 Focus on the process, not the outcome: Instead of worrying about the final result of a creative endeavor, focus on the creative process and enjoy the journey of creating. This can help shift the focus away from the potential for criticism and rejection, so you can focus on taking action.
🤝 Volunteer! Choose a local charity or non-profit organization (or better yet, go to your local church) and offer to share your creative talents. Set aside a specific amount of time each week to serve through your creativity and see the positive impact that your creative gifts can have on you & in your community.
😌 Look Back: Take time to reflect on how God has used your creativity in the past to make a difference, and be grateful for the opportunities to be a good steward of the gifts that He has given you.
Do you currently have passion projects that you are currently bringing to life? Share them in the comments!
💪 CREATIVE CHALLENGE: "STEWARDSHIP"
Create a visual artwork* following this guideline:
🍇 Use the idea of “A GOOD STEWARD” 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 18, 2023.
⭐ ART FEATURE:
Sharing our 3 dazzling favorite submissions from last week’s creative prompt: 💡LIGHT.
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! 👋
As promised in the beginning of this issue, we are giving away our FREEBIES to EVERYONE who has access to this news letter! So without further ado, here is the download link:
Thank you for choosing to be part of our journey. 🥰 Have fun creating!
Brian Vee,
Founder, Indie Beginning
ERRATUM: The deadline for the creative challenge is Feb 18, 2023, not Feb 11 (as that was 2 days before I even posted this haha! ✌️)