💖 DEVOTIONAL:
📖 SCRIPTURE:
"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us," - Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)
Imagine being a young boy in a crowd of over 5,000 people, listening to Jesus speak. You're hungry, and you know that the people around you are hungry too. Then, Jesus’ disciples turn to you and asks if you have anything to eat.
You look down at your small offering of five loaves of bread and two fish, and you know that it's not enough to feed everyone. But you offer it anyway, trusting that Jesus can do something amazing with your limited resources.
As Christian creatives, we can be like that young boy. We may feel like our talents and gifts are limited - like we don't have enough to make a difference in the world. But just like the boy with his five loaves and two fish, we can offer what we have to Jesus and trust him to use it in ways that are beyond our imagination.
When we feel like an empty vessel, it's easy to doubt our abilities and feel insecure about our creative gifts. But the truth is, God has given us our talents and gifts for a reason. He can use even the smallest offering to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine.
So, the next time you feel like you don't have enough to offer, remember the story of the young boy who gave his limited resources to Jesus. Offer what you have, and trust God to use it in ways that are beyond your wildest dreams. Because with God, even the smallest offering can be multiplied and used to bring hope, healing, and inspiration to the world.
🙏 PRAYER:
Dear Lord, we come before you as creatives, aware of our limitations and insecurities. Sometimes we feel like empty vessels, unsure of what we have to offer. But we trust in your power at work within us to take our meager offerings and multiply them in ways beyond our imagination. Help us to use our gifts to glorify you and bring hope to the world. May we never forget that you have given us our gifts and talents for a reason. And when we feel like we have nothing left to give, remind us that you can do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.
🤔💭 APPLICATION ACTIVITY:
What’s your “five loaves & two fish”? 🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🐟🐟
Think of one practical thing you can do this week to offer your gifts to God. It could be as simple as creating a simple graphic, writing a short poem, drawing a picture, or playing a musical instrument. Or it could be something more involved, like volunteering in your local community or sharing your creative talents with a friend.
Whatever you choose, do it with the mindset of the young boy who offered his five loaves and two fish to Jesus. Offer what you have, no matter how small, and trust that God can use it in ways that are beyond your imagination.
May this activity help you grow in your faith and inspire you to use your creative gifts and talents to serve God and others.
💡 PRACTICAL TIPS:
🎨 Share your work in progress: People often find the creative process fascinating and love to see how artists bring their vision to life. Consider sharing glimpses of your work in progress through social media, blog posts, or even video tutorials. This not only showcases your skills but also demystifies the creative process for others, helping them see that it's a journey full of experimentation and discovery, rather than just a magical end result. Sharing your process can inspire other aspiring artists to pursue their own creative passions and realize that creating is a continuous journey of growth and improvement.
💡 Set small goals: Break down your creative projects into smaller, more manageable goals. This can help you feel less overwhelmed and more motivated to take action. For example, instead of saying "I want to write a novel," set a goal to write for 30 minutes a day.
🌱 Embrace your journey: Focus on your own progress and growth as a creative. Don't compare your mediocre work or results to others who may have more experience or success. Embrace imperfection as a part of the creative process and don't be afraid to share your imperfect creations with the world. Your work doesn't have to be flawless to have value or to impact others. By avoiding comparison and embracing imperfection, you can focus on the joy of creating and sharing your unique perspective. Remember, your imperfect creations may be just what someone needs to be inspired or encouraged.
💪 CREATIVE CHALLENGE:
Create something interesting with this piece of design asset:
Can you turn this simple image into something creative?
🤩 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: Mar 25, 2023.
⭐ BEGINNERS FEATURE:
Check out these amazing works from our favorite emerging creatives on Instagram:
Are you a Christian creative who is just starting out on Instagram with less than 1k followers? Let us give you a BOOST by featuring your art! Use the hashtag: #IndieBeginningBoost on your Instagram uploads to get a chance to be part of our weekly newsletter! 😎
Hey, creatives! 👋
Let’s do a quick survey:
When we first started our Instagram page, our primary target audience was Christian graphic designers. However, over the course of several months, we realized that our message resonated with Christian creatives from all backgrounds. We are grateful for the support and encouragement we have received from each and every one of you.
In order to better understand who we are reaching and how we can serve you more effectively, we would like to take a moment to do a quick poll. Your feedback is valuable to us and will help shape the future of this devotional. We want to ensure that our content remains relevant and impactful to you as a Christian creative.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. We are excited to continue this journey with you and see what God has in store for us as we pour out our creativity for His glory.
Blessings,
Brian Vee,
Founder, Indie Beginning