It’s Toxic...But We Crave It
-An exclusive excerpt from Allen’s new book-
Chasing popularity will short-circuit you.
Everything about it is toxic to your heart, mind, soul, and creative efforts. Those who would give everything or do anything for their moment in the spotlight are often shocked to find that fame’s shelf life is about twenty-four hours. It is fleeting, immediately forgotten, and not worth craving.
We are not in a popularity contest. Nor will our projects bring us the missing validation we’ve been chasing. Our work can’t make us, save us, or complete us. Our creativity doesn’t make us. We make it. Not from a need to be liked. But to bring to life what God has given us a passion for. Success is then no longer based on what others think of us. Success is simply entering into what we do with God—and trusting the results to him.
That kind of success can never be measured by human metrics of social media likes, online reviews, and sales. The fruit of it often isn’t popularity but influence. It’s crucial not to confuse eternal influence with fleeting popularity.
The shallow end of the pool is popular but offers nothing for those eager to experience the ocean. You’re bringing something to life that God has stirred in your imagination. Create from that sweet spot. Doing so is the only path to guaranteed success. Because it’s based on what you do with God.
We have no guarantee how many people our work will influence—or even if it will happen in our lifetime. Van Gogh is one of the most acclaimed artists, but in his life, he only sold a painting to a family member.
Fewer followers doesn’t mean less influence as long as you take them deeper. In that sense, your offering isn’t an endpoint but an entry point for another’s journey. For some, God will use it as an inflection point. Not because of our brilliance...but because we kept creating regardless of immediate interest or popularity. May we crave that.
(From The Creativity Glitch: How to Stop Being Stuck, Find Your Groove, & Create with God.Copyright © 2026 Allen Arnold.)
This reading was crafted to encourage your pursuit of story and creativity with God. Your donation makes this crowd-funded initiative possible. You can support it via PAYPAL (or by check to Allen Arnold at PO Box 62841, Colorado Springs, CO 80962).
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