You are an artist. Really, you are.

You may hate to paint, cringe at the thought of singing, and would rather be imprisoned in Afghanistan than visit the art museum.

Still, you are an artist. Why? Because you are created in the image of God. And you’re here. And you have work to do.

Art isn’t just about being artistic. It’s not just being involved with “the arts” of film, music, painting, sculpting, or dancing.

Art is the act of leading something you care about. It’s not just what lead. It’s how you lead. It’s about taking a stand. It’s about making a difference. It’s about releasing something into the world that has the potential to change a life. Whether that’s a song or a staff meeting, you are an artist.

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Creativity has become the buzz word of the modern, local church. Lights shine across our stages. Rock bands bounce to great grooves that rival pop radio.

Pressure compounds every weekend as we try to make one service better, smoother, more polished, more excellent than the last.

Everyone is on the quest for greater creativity. But what is the reason?

• Is it to be better than the church down the road?
• Is it to prove our worth?
• Is it to make our mark in the world?
• Is it to be remembered?

In a recent podcast, Mark Batterson talked about how the church should be the most creative place on the planet. There are ways to do church that no one has thought of before.

I’m all for creativity. Followers of Jesus should foster a massive imagination. We should constantly be pushing ourselves to see something new, create with a new canvas.

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You know what’s difficult for me? Finishing songs.

It’s agonizing for me to declare a song “done” if there’s still possibility that it could be better.

It could always improve. It could always change.

But there comes a time when you have to finish.

There’s more at stake in your creative projects than you may realize. Your creativity, your art, your work sets inspiration into motion.

Throughout my life I’ve been inspired by artists, musicians, and writers who could have made the decision to stall and never finish.

Influence belongs to those who step out and make something happen.

Good intentions don’t change the world.

Dreams don’t make a difference unless they’re put on a deadline.

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As the world watched the Super Bowl this past weekend, our eyes were transfixed on a sea of creativity.

Bruno Mars, tearing up his performance on the biggest stage in the world.

A ready Seahawks defense, rendering Peyton Manning immobile.

U2, releasing a new single via a multi million dollar commercial.

All over the place – from cameras to cornerbacks to coaches and commercials, we were inundated with creativity in varied forms.

When we consider creativity, our thinking often wanders to the large stages. We think on the big crowds. We marvel over the final product.

When we think of that – part of us gives up on our own creativity.

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