BOOST #125: Want More Creative Wisdom? Start With This. 👇
The underrated creative habit Solomon chose first
💖 DEVOTIONAL:
“Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil…” —1 Kings 3:9
When God handed Solomon a blank check: “Ask for whatever you want me to give you,” he could’ve reached for the usual things: power, wealth, fame, success, even creative brilliance. I probably would’ve. You might’ve too. After all, who wouldn’t want a creative life that feels more secure, more admired, more impressive?
But Solomon didn’t.
He asked for lev shomea. A listening heart. Not a conquering sword. Not a louder voice.
Not a sharper mind. But ears tuned to heaven. A posture of humility. A heart that leans in.
What a rare and holy request. Solomon didn’t ask to be wise in the eyes of the world; he asked to be attentive in the presence of God. He chose not to impress, but to discern. Not just to know what to do, but to recognize what matters most. His desire wasn’t for a life that looked successful, but one that was aligned with the heartbeat of God.
What we can learn from this is that real wisdom doesn’t really begin with knowledge. It begins with attention, with stillness, and with listening.
We live in loud days, don’t we? Everyone’s talking and rushing to be heard. But very few are truly listening. To each other. To themselves. To God.
In fact, people seem to have a harder time slowing down and listening than speaking up and steamrolling their way through conversations. The world rewards quick takes, loud opinions, and confident certainty. The faster your answer, the more applause you seem to get. But Solomon shows us that what God honors is not the noise—but the pause.
The holy pause.
The moment before the decision.
The quiet before the answer.
The stillness before the step.
This week, the wisest thing you and I can do isn’t to have the perfect words or the smartest plan—but to stop and listen. To quiet our minds. To soften our hearts. To ask God, “What are You saying?” and then actually wait for the answer.
Because a listening heart becomes a discerning one. And in God’s economy, that’s worth more than gold.
🙏 PRAYER:
God, give me a listening heart. Not just a mind full of ideas, but a soul that slows down enough to hear Yours. Teach me to listen—not just for clever solutions or creative breakthroughs, but for Your voice. Help me tune out the noise and stay close to what really matters. Amen.
💡 TIP OF THE WEEK:
This week, before starting any creative work, take five minutes to do nothing but listen. No music. No brainstorming. Just silent solitude, a journal, and a simple prayer: “God, what do You want me to hear today?” Write down whatever comes (even if it’s just one word.) That might be all you need.
Let’s Craft a Creative Club! 🤩
I’m cooking up a premium Creative Club for those of you who’d love extra content, practical tools, and a tight-knit community beyond the weekly newsletter and IG posts. Before we put the finishing touches on it and set the cogs in motion, I want to hear from you—which perks would actually light your creative fire? Cast your vote in the poll below so I can build the club around what excites you most!
Have more perk suggestions that are not in the options? Comment them below! 👇
😍 Whenever you’re ready, here are 2 more ways we can help you grow as a Christian creative:
Creative Juice Booster: Overcome creative blocks and become a wellspring of ideas! Join countless Christian creatives who’ve rediscovered the joy of creating with God through Creative Juice Booster. This practical, Bible-rooted guide will help you sharpen your creative thinking, overcome blocks, and walk boldly in your calling as an artist for the Kingdom.
Scriptures and Scribbles: Dive into this interactive activity book that encourages Bible reflection through creativity! Featuring 100+ Scripture-based reflections and creative prompts, it’s designed to help you connect with God while nurturing your artistic spirit. Perfect for journaling, sketching, or simply exploring your faith in a creative way.
THAT’S IT FOR THIS WEEK’S DROP!
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—Brian V.
Thank you for the “Lev Shomea” meaning, I didn’t know it and it has been beautiful to understand that it was a listening heart what Solomon was asking for. It is so important to listen God before anything we do…even in the smallest things, I think we glorify Him when we depend on Him. Thank you for this week’s Boost!
This topic of listening has always been such a dear one to me. Lately it has been resonating again in my quiet time too, Brian! What God has said in private you are speaking on in public, friend! Thank you for LISTENING and sharing!
Amen! - Leilina.