Creating with Eternity In Mind
There has been a resounding statement I’ve heard over the last few months that makes me sad. “I feel like my calling is on hold.”
The pandemic and all its impending consequences have left us weary, isolated and longing for more. More what? That’s what we’re going to discover here. See, there’s something I’m so convinced of that I just can’t be quiet about it anymore. This season is not an “oops” mistake by God. He doesn’t make mistakes - that’s us. He is an all-perfect, all-knowing and all-sovereign holy God.
You may be chugging along in 2021 but feeling as if you’re on an endless hamster wheel as you create. God has placed zealous dreams inside your heart but as you chase after them, do you sometimes feel like your feet are in quicksand? Here’s what I can promise you (God said it first, not me): He has made everything beautiful in its time (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Our timing is not His timing. Believe me, His is much better. So as we paint, cross stitch or write our fingers off for His glory, we do not create in vain. He makes all things beautiful in His time because He is a God of redemption. Let’s create as if we believe that is true.
He has put a longing on our hearts that the world will never satisfy. We are made in His image and as a follower of Christ, he has set eternity in our hearts. So as we create, we don’t create for the here and now. We don’t create for the likes, the virtue signals or the accolades. We create from a place of faith and obedience to making our Creator known.
This week, as you pick up your proverbial “paintbrush”, remember that you are partnering with God as you create for Him. It’s bigger than just “this” - 2021. You have an opportunity to shout the goodness of the gospel from the rooftops as you use your creativity, graciously given by Him, as a way to show Him off to the world.
If you’re feeling those all-too-familiar feelings of “not enough”, “I can’t do this” or “she’s doing it better” - remember you didn’t get any of those ideas from God. You are made in His image and, as a follower of Christ, the righteousness of Jesus has been applied to your life. You are His workmanship and He has equipped and is equipping you to do works for Him that He planned a long time ago. The faithfulness, the next step, is up to us!
So, where do we go from here? I don’t know what is holding you back in your creativity today but ask yourself the following questions:
In what area(s) am I operating in my own strength? Where do I need to relinquish control to God?
What do I need to take my next step?
Who do I need to take my next step?
Am I creating to build my kingdom or His?
