A rejection of your art could mean it wasn’t meant for that person. Or it may be a sign your vision requires more hard work before it’s ready for prime time.

Creativity is not just something you do. Your art reveals your deepest longings. It tells a story that transcends the canvas or the manuscript. It tells a story about you.

In The Knowledge of the Holy, A. W. Tozer made this profound observation…

“Our explicit knowledge is the way we know God intellectually. Our implicit knowledge…”

Don't place your hopes for better times on changing seasons, political promises, or the ways of this world.

As long as a situation looks impossible, it’s a sign we’re not yet seeing it as God does.

Your creativity has the potential to become an idol if you look to it for validation or cling to it as your primary identity. 

The world continues to grow more digital by the day. Our photos are stored on our phones. Our music and movie collection is vast…and in a cloud somewhere.

As your son or daughter considers what to pursue in younger years or focus on after high school—take the pressure off.

It fills me with great joy when I walk into a bookstore or library and see shelves overflowing with old and new manuscripts.

Some days we need more than general encouragement. We need specific insights to address specific issues. 

Keep creating what brings you joy. 

Even if no one is asking for it. Even if there's no upfront guarantee. Or applause along the way. 

The way we interact with time impacts every aspect of our lives. If only I had more time. I regularly hear that phrase from others. More than I care to admit, I often wish it for myself.

We have an enemy who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).  Whatever he is trying to take from you, know this. A skilled thief never sets out to steal something of no value.

You’re not late or behind on the project that isn’t coming together.

The power of your art begins before you pick up the pen or brush or instrument.

God invites us into the “new” by putting us in the middle of what we never imagined doing only for us to discover we now can’t imagine doing anything else. 

The next time you’re scrolling through social media or watching a “breaking” news story, ask yourself if what’s being discussed is focused on people and events…or ideas.

Knowing what fills and what depletes you is essential for creatives. Because we don’t live in paradise or even a neutral setting.

As a boy, I loved to go fishing with my dad. Back then, fishing wasn’t fancy. All you needed was a pole and a worm.

An essential quality of creativity is the ability to create in freedom. To see an issue without being told how to see it. To ask big questions.