“You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, ‘Here is your God!'” (Isaiah 40:9 NIV)
A sweet friend who is an accomplished writer and encourager of youth gave me some wonderful advice for a seminar workshop on creative writing I taught at the arts camp. Her sage and sound advice was so wise, I shared it with the entire camp in morning devotions. That morning we were focusing on how to be “storytellers” in the world – how to use our artistic gifts to tell God’s Story wherever we were. So, today I’ll share some notes and invite you, too, to be a storyteller.
When we create, we must first start by listening to the Holy Spirit with REVERENCE. Reverence is deep respect or awe. We are promised that, “When the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into the full truth. He won’t speak on his own. He will speak what he hears and will tell you about things to come.” (John 16:13 GW). Similarly, God will guide us through Holy Spirit to speak Truth into our world. We simply have to approach God with reverence, ask him to help us create, and listen for his Voice.
When God give us a calling, we must do it with DILIGENCE – careful and persistent work and effort, gaining in excellence. It takes time to develop a gift – lots of practice, study, work, more practice, and patience! But we must never stop growing! Always seek a higher level of excellence in what you’re doing. The Apostle Paul said, “But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.” (1 Corinthians 12:31 NRSVA)
If we are listening for God’s voice, and willing and able to put in diligence for excellence, we must always hold true to HONESTY in what we create. We shouldn’t try to be someone else. An elephant can’t become a poodle any more than an oak tree can become a rose bush. Any of these are important and have a role, but for one to try to be another is foolish. We are children of God and he places his Spirit within us. He guides us. We should listen to that Voice and then live out of that place. It is dishonest to create drawings or dances or writings or music or anything else that is not who we are in Christ. We are uniquely created and if we are listening to Holy Spirit and following Jesus Christ, our art will reflect who we are. Paul said, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24)
Frederick Buechner wrote, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” When we are creating from a place of reverence, diligence, and honesty, God will give us his holy JOY. Even when the work is hard or even painful, God can give us joy. Even when we are in a waiting season, God offers his joyful presence to supplement our patience. Even when we are frustrated, we can know great JOY when we are doing what God created us to do. Our invitation is always to enjoy God. Enjoy the creating process. Enjoy creating in community with other Christians. Enjoy what God has called you to do. “But be glad and rejoice forever over what I create; Behold, I am creating [you] to be a source of rejoicing and [my] people a joy.” (Isaiah 65:18 AMP)
With reverence, diligence, honesty, and joy we can tell God’s story and impact the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Creating God,
Thank you for the calling to be creators and storytellers in this world. Thank you for the Good News of Jesus Christ and the fellowship and leading of Holy Spirit. Help us to be reverent, diligent, honest, and joyful storytellers as we lift up our creative voices, worshipping, creating, and shouting with joy and not with fear, because you are our God! AMEN.