BOOST #155: Why Some Creative Seasons Take Longer Than Others 🗺️
How to move from wandering to intentional faith
💖 DEVOTIONAL:
“We have seen his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Matthew 2:2 (ESV)
As I look ahead to a new year, I find myself thinking about two very different journeys in Scripture. Both guided by God, yet each revealing something distinct about how we follow.
The Israelites moved through the wilderness with the manifest presence of God leading them. A pillar of cloud by day, fire by night. The direction was unmistakable. And yet they wandered for forty years. Clearly, it was not because God’s guidance was vague, but because their hearts kept pulling them backward. They grumbled when provision came. They longed for Egypt even as they stood on the edge of freedom. Their wandering wasn’t about confusion; it was about resistance.
The wise men, by contrast, had only a star. No voice from heaven. No detailed map. Just a steady light in the sky and a conviction that it was worth following. When it moved, they moved. When it stopped, they worshiped. They traveled far, brought costly gifts, and never seemed to question whether the journey was worth it. They didn’t have certainty. But they had direction. And that was enough.
Here’s what strikes me: both groups had what they needed to move forward. The Israelites had clarity but lacked surrender. The wise men had ambiguity but offered trust. The difference wasn’t in what God provided but in how they responded.
As you step into this year, maybe your creative calling feels more like following a star than walking behind a pillar of fire. Maybe you’re not entirely sure where it’s leading, but you sense God’s invitation to move. That’s okay. Faithfulness doesn’t require a complete map. It requires a willing heart.
God is not asking you to see the whole path. He’s asking you to take the next step with what He’s already shown you. To stop rehearsing the fears that keep you circling the same wilderness. To bring your best, even when the destination is still unfolding.
May this be a year when you follow the light you’ve been given, trusting that the God who placed the star is faithful to guide those who seek Him.
🙏 PRAYER:
Father, thank You for being a God who leads Your people. Help me recognize when I am wandering out of fear instead of following You in trust. Give me the courage to take the next step You place before me, even when the path feels uncertain. Shape my creative journey this year so that it honors You and reflects a heart that seeks You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
💡 TIP OF THE WEEK:
As you start the week, write down one small creative step you sense God inviting you to take. Do not wait for the full plan. Take the step you can see right now and trust Him with the rest.
🤔 As you look at your creative life right now, does it feel more like wandering or following a star? I would love to hear your thoughts. Leave your answers in the comments!
Not every journey needs a map. Some just need a place to reflect. 🧭
The Israelites wandered with God’s presence. The wise men followed a star. Different paths, same invitation: stay attentive as you walk.
Scriptures & Scribbles is a creative journaling companion for Christian creatives who want to process their journey with God through Scripture, reflection, and art. With 100+ thoughtfully designed activity pages, it gives you space to slow down, listen, and notice where God is leading you.
THAT’S IT FOR THIS WEEK’S DROP!
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—Brian V.
There are so many stars I could follow. I don't know which one God intends for me to focus on. But your advice to take one step this week will get me that much closer to any of them!