💖 DEVOTIONAL:
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children." - Ephesians 5:1 (ESV)
A child dons a makeshift cape, climbs onto a piece of furniture, and leaps skyward with fists raised high. Where did he learn to do this? Surely, it's not an invention of his own mind. No, he probably just saw a few superhero movies and came to admire a particular flying character. He is acting like the person he aspires to be. And within his imitation lies the sincerest form of admiration.
As Christian creatives, we are likewise called to emulate—not caped crusaders, but the very character of God. For in reflecting His love, kindness, and creativity, we discover a worship deeper than mere words or emotions could convey. It's a devotion expressed in brushstrokes that mirror His compassion, in melodies that echo His grace, and in prose that narrates His mercy.
Rarely do we imitate someone whom we don't admire, except perhaps in jest. Therefore, imitation is not just a form of flattery, but indeed a form of worship. Try to examine your actions, your creative process, even your manner of dress and speech. You may find that a significant part of you is patterned after those you admire. May Jesus be at the forefront of that list.
Let us recognize that every act of creation, whether on canvas, in song, or through words, is an opportunity to mirror Christ. Just as a child mimics his heroes, let us pattern our behavior after the One we admire above all. In doing so, our art transcends mere expression; it becomes a hymn of praise, resonating with the beauty of our Creator.
As beloved children of God, let us heed the apostle's exhortation: to imitate God in all we do. For in our imitation lies not only homage to His majesty, but also a proclamation of His enduring love for all mankind.
🙏 PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, help us to imitate You as dearly loved children. May our creative endeavors reflect Your character and bring glory to Your name. Guide us in every brushstroke, every note, and every word, that we may worship You in spirit and in truth. Amen.
💡 TIP OF THE WEEK:
👀 Take a moment to evaluate your influences in art: Reflect on who your greatest inspirations are and consider whether their values and principles align with those of God. Are your choices of influences leading you closer to Him, or do they draw you away? Make a list of your influences and honestly assess whether they honor God. If necessary, seek out new sources of inspiration that reflect His character and truth, allowing your creative journey to be guided by His wisdom and grace.
I’m writing a book on creativity! 📖✨
It’s really happening! And if all goes according to plan, we’re hoping to release it late next month or probably early June. We’ve been hard at work these past few weeks to make sure it’s packed with value and we’re really excited to share our progress with all of you in the coming weeks!
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THAT’S IT FOR THIS WEEK’S DROP!
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—Brian V.
I posted this note about the art of Andy Warhol. He is an anomaly in the Christian church.
https://substack.com/@thedistantspire/note/c-54846658
Wow. What a profound word.
“within his imitation lies the sincerest form of admiration”
“imitation is not just a form of flattery, but indeed a form of worship.”
This is gold.