BOOST #126: How God Uses Your Worst-Case Creative Days
A creative’s guide to finding peace in broken plans
💖 DEVOTIONAL:
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” —Proverbs 16:9
Pastor John Piper once said, "Frustrating human efficiency is one of God's primary means of sanctifying grace." In other words, God's definition of "productive" may look wildly inefficient to you.
You've color-coded your calendar, blocked your time, and organized your creative projects perfectly. Then life happens. Planning is good. Organization is wise. But when your perfect schedule unravels—and it will—remember this: the days when everything falls apart might actually be doing the deepest work in you.
Joseph probably didn't feel very "on track" in prison, yet those years of waiting prepared him to save nations from famine. Paul probably didn't feel "efficient" when his mission to Spain ended in Roman house arrest, but it was precisely during that confinement that he penned his prison epistles—letters that would encourage believers for millennia.
Both were exactly where God needed them to be—for His glory and for others' good.
So here's the tension: yes, make plans. Set goals. Block time. But when interruptions come—when the kid gets sick, the file gets corrupted, the client ghosts you, or the inspiration dries up—don't assume it's a failure. It might be grace in disguise.
God is not just after your output. He's after your heart. Sometimes the most fruitful thing you'll create in a day is trust.
🙏 PRAYER:
Father, thank You for being sovereign even when my creative plans unravel. Teach me to hold my schedule loosely and trust that You're working through every interruption—when deadlines shift and projects stall. Help me to value faithfulness over efficiency, and peace over productivity. Grow me in grace when things don't go as I hoped. Amen.
💡 TIP OF THE WEEK:
This week, make your to-do list with one blank space each day labeled: “Whatever God allows.” Let it remind you that unplanned moments might not be distractions—they might be the most important parts of your day.
✨ PROJECT UPDATE:
I'm thrilled to share that I just finished writing the drafts for all three main sections of More Than Machines: Rediscovering your Work, your Worth, and your Why in the Age of AI! This open letter to Christian creatives has been such a meaningful project to work on—diving deep into the fears we're all wrestling with about AI disruption while anchoring everything in the unchanging truths about our identity, calling, and purpose in Christ. The book addresses those sleepless nights when you wonder if your creativity still matters, if God really called you to this work, and whether you'll still have clients next year. I can't wait to get this into your hands because I believe it will bring both clarity and hope to the challenges we're facing as creatives in this AI era. Keep an eye out—I'll be opening signups for beta readers very soon, and I'd love your feedback as we polish this thing together!
😍 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.
I’m so thankful for your work.
It’s great to be reminded of the parts of Joseph and Paul’s stories that we often rush over. They weren’t where they planned to be, but God’s plan is perfect.