Operating Below Capacity

I asked God to give me a word for this summer. He did. It was SLOWER.

This wouldn’t have been the word I chose for myself. But it’s exactly what I needed.

According to God, our heart is the wellspring of life (Proverbs 4:23). And as it goes, so goes our life…and creativity. If we’re always trying to do as much as possible, we will deplete this wellspring. Likewise, to replenish it requires us, at times, to do less than possible. To operate below capacity. 

Notice your first reaction to that phrase. The image of “operating below capacity” initially made me feel like a slacker. Lazy. Unproductive. But I know that’s not true. Especially if it’s at God’s invitation. 

Being highly productive may get a lot done, but more isn’t always better. 

Creating with God requires a willingness to slow down. It takes time to explore the deeper waters within and around us. The act of creation requires the artist to become good friends with stillness, patience, curiosity, and lingering questions over immediate answers.

Setting a pre-determined due date for when our ideas will be done and when the ideas are actually ready to be born aren't the same. With the first, we hit a deadline. With the second, we nurture an idea with God until it is fully ready to be born. It’s good to know the difference if you want to create art with an eternal spark.

Where might God be inviting you to go slower in this season?

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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