BOOST #015: For the Creative World Changers 🌎
From speck to significance. From burden to breakthrough.
💖 DEVOTIONAL:
📖 SCRIPTURE:
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
- Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
As a student, I often heard the declaration, "You are a world changer," spoken to young people in our church. Those words really resonated deeply within me, igniting a passionate fire in my heart. They expanded my understading of my calling and unlocked untapped potential within me. Through this affirmation, I was instilled with confidence and faith that God could truly use me to leave a lasting impact on the world.
However, as I dwelt on the idea of being a "world changer," I realized it could also become a daunting concept. After all, the world is vast, and in comparison, I am merely a speck. As a Christian creative, these thoughts can be overwhelming. How can my art effectively speak to people from diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences? How can my creations touch the hearts of both men and women, the young and the old without compromising my unique style? If I am to be a true "world changer," it seems I must create for everyone!
But let me share a truth that has set me free from the burden of trying to please everyone: When you attempt to create for everyone, you end up creating for no one.
The solution, my fellow creative, lies in a shift of focus. Instead of striving to reach the entire world with your art, direct your energy towards serving the people God has placed within your reach. Create with the purpose of encouraging those whom God has burdened your heart for. Seek to change your share of the world through your unique gifts and talents, while simultaneously celebrating and supporting other world changers in their endeavors.
In Ephesians 2:10, we are reminded that we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works. God has uniquely designed each one of us with specific gifts and passions. He has already prepared in advance the good works He intends for us to accomplish. Therefore, trust in the divine orchestration of your talents and the specific audience you are called to impact.
Remember, it is not the breadth of your influence that determines your significance as a world changer, but the depth of your obedience to God's calling. Pour your heart and soul into creating for the audience that God has entrusted to you. Your art, when inspired by the Holy Spirit, will transcend boundaries and touch lives in ways you cannot even fathom.
As you embark on this creative journey, release the burden of trying to please everyone. Instead, let the love of Christ guide your brushstrokes, your words, your melodies, and your every creative expression. Surrender your art to Him and watch as He breathes life into your work, making it resonate with those whose hearts are ready to receive the message you carry. Embrace your calling, create fearlessly, and trust that God will use your faithful acts of creativity to bring about meaningful change in this world, one heart at a time.
🙏 PRAYER:
Dear God, we come before you as your handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works. Thank you for instilling in us a desire to make a difference in this world through our creativity. Help us to shift our focus from the daunting task of pleasing everyone to serving the people you have placed within our reach. May we create with purpose and passion, using our unique gifts and talents to impact those whom you have burdened our hearts for. Remind us that the depth of our obedience to your calling, not the breadth of our influence, determines our significance as world changers. Guide us in our creative endeavors, and may your love and truth flow through us, touching the hearts of those who are ready to receive your message. Amen.
🤔💭 APPLICATION:
Reflect on the idea that you have the potential to be a "world changer." How does this impact your perspective on your calling and your creative abilities?
Are there particular individuals or groups that God has burdened your heart for? How can you intentionally create art that encourages and impacts them?
In what ways can you support and celebrate other Christian creatives who are also seeking to make a difference in the world? How can you collaborate and encourage one another in your respective creative journeys?
💡 TIP OF THE WEEK:
🤓 Harness the universal power of storytelling: Intentionally craft narratives that share messages of hope, redemption, and God's love. Stories have a profound impact on people's hearts and can bring about change in the world. Create ones that resonate with your audience, addressing real-life struggles through a lens of faith. Whether through art, writing, music, or other mediums, let your storytelling be a beacon of hope that points to Jesus and His life-changing truth.
❓Q & A:
With so many controversial topics, how do you decide what crosses the line? —Cindy
Cindy, thank you for raising such an important question! In the realm of Christianity and creativity, we often face the dilemma of where to draw the line when it comes to addressing controversial topics. It can be tempting to jump into every trending discussion to boost our views and interactions. However, as Christian creatives, our foremost concern should be rooted in the pursuit of truth and love.
When we are confronted with controversial subjects that threaten to undermine truth, we are called to speak up. Yet, we aim to approach such conversations with a heart motivated by love, seeking to foster unity rather than division. We remind ourselves that our aim should never be to incite hate or sow discord, but rather to shine a light on truth and extend compassion to those we engage with.
My encouragement for you is to exercise discernment and prayerfully consider when and how to address controversial topics, always striving to honor God's command to speak the truth in love. By doing so, you can navigate these conversations with grace, making a positive impact on our audience while remaining faithful to our calling as Christian creatives.
Hope that helps!
Brian Vee,
Founder, Indie Beginning
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