On a scale of 1-10, how creative are you? 1 being utterly bankrupt of all creativity and 10 being the sultan of creative brilliance (wow, I like that title).
Truth be told, the answer doesn’t matter at all. It’s a waste of time. Rather than wondering if you’re creative, why not own the fact that you are created in the image of the Creative God, and it’s part of who you are.
Sound good? OK – glad we got that out of the way.
Because that foundation will help this post make sense for you. You are not exempt, whether you’re a painter or a plumber, an accountant or an acrobat, everyone is an artist.
I’m reading a book right now that is challenging the living excuses out of me. It’s called Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert. In my opinion, it’s one of the best books on creativity that I’ve ever read.
There are some weird moments, for sure, but I find it to be a most motivating manifesto for creating stuff.
She says:
“Create what causes a revolution in your heart.”
Oohh…sounds powerful, right? This convicted me on a number of levels. First off, do I create what I create because I have an insane passion for it? Do I create because I love it or because I feel like I should? Or someone has pressured me to?
This challenges me as a pianist. As a guitar player. As a songwriter. As a human.
Elizabeth goes on to explain that we actually create the most value in the world when we do what we love. When we set out not so much to help people but to do that which makes us feel most alive, we end up helping the most people. It’s a cyclical process.
Loving Your Ministry
I also was convicted as a Christian. Why am I in ministry? Why do I write songs? Why do I produce a podcast, write blog posts, and disciple other worship leaders? The best answer is because the person of Jesus Christ has caused (and continues to cause) a revolution in my heart. His beauty and glory consumes me and compels me to do ministry.
But that’s not always my answer. I lose sight of that big picture way too easily.
This is helpful advice for those who are feeling burn out. Why are you burnt out? I believe it’s because you’ve misplaced your focus. You started focusing on someone else’s passion.
Or, you’ve taken your eyes off of what first caused the revolution in your heart. You’ve become distracted.
So let’s do a little introspection. Do you still love what you do? Is there a natural flow of life and energy in what you find yourself doing week in and week out?
I believe there should be. Because that’s how you’ll make the greatest contribution, reach the most people, and make the biggest difference in the world.
There’s nothing saintly about rolling up your sleeves, gritting your teeth and just getting the job done. We need you to be your most passionate self.
So where do we go from here?
Revisit the revolution. Revisit your love for Jesus. Has your focus been misplaced? Your church needs you to get it back. Your team needs you to get it back. Future generations need you to get it back.
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