Author: Andrette Herron

Faith/

God Calls and He Provides

I often struggle with feeling creative enough to accomplish the tasks I believe God gives me. I worry about coming up with new and good ideas full of exciting content that others will want to read. I am sure that my fellow creatives often face similar battles. Recently, I was reminded of some wonderful passages of scripture that help when I start doubting. Mainly because they remind me it all points back to God and His good gifts to us. None of it depends on what we can do in and of ourselves.

If God has called us to write, compose music, draw, paint, or develop any type of artistic content, then He has already provided everything we need to walk in obedience to that calling.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ Ephesians 1:3-9 (ESV)

Reading the above passage always encourages me to know that God already placed in me every spiritual blessing. According to His word, we are equipped with every spiritual gift we need for the calling. We can overcome every temptation to give up or compromise our creative gifting. As we see in this next passage, we have the mind of Christ and the wisdom of God. So, we don’t have to lean on our finite minds to generate inspiring content.

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:12-16 (ESV)

Learning to lean on Him for all our inspiration removes the pressure we place on ourselves. Then we are free to simply walk out our calling in the peaceful knowledge that He directs our thoughts and ideas. At the end of the day, let us remember that our Creator designed us to create. He has given us all that we need. We can achieve everything He has planned for us and create amazing content to share because of Him.

Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Psalm 139:4-6

Faith/

Do We Have to Choose This or That?

As we enter this new year, I have thought a lot about what to share. I keep coming back to the concept of not holding on so tightly to the extremes of this or that (meaning if we are facing difficulties, we cannot also experience joy in life). This month, I would like to explore how to reconcile ourselves with the idea of this and that. For me, that includes grief and joy, turbulence and peace, striving for our goals and waiting on God.

In my own life recently, hard things have come at me in a major way. Discouragement, grief, physical pain, and personal hurt confronted me daily right in the middle of the holiday season, leaving me full of questions. God began speaking to me and I realized there will be times in life when we hold both. However, that does not have to keep us from the having peace Jesus promises.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33 ESV)

We can carry grief and still walk in the joy of the Lord. In the midst of hurt and discouragement, we have the comfort of God’s peace that passes all our understanding. We can experience loss—whether that be the loss of a loved one, the loss of relationships, the loss of a job, or even the loss of expectations in this season of life. At the same time, we can acknowledge the blessings we have in new relationships, and new opportunities that are right in front of us.

A lot of our stress and anxiety result from our efforts to hold so tightly to one thing or the other. Why do we think we can only be sad or happy? We mourn what’s lost without always recognizing the blessings we still have. If we are struggling in an area, we often fail to notice the good. We can resolve ourselves to the fact that it’s OK to hold both things at the same time, allowing ourselves the grace that we need to walk through the difficulties, yet maintain hope in the good. I am learning this myself. Sometimes, when we are in the middle of the hard times and the grief, we do not let ourselves experience joy. We can grieve, knowing there’s still joy to be had. After all, joy and peace are part of the spiritual blessings in the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23). These spiritual gifts help us walk through the heavy and the hard. We hold on to God’s peace and joy which carry us through.

We do not have to compartmentalize our emotions, stressing ourselves over feeling one thing or the other. How does this concept relate to us as creatives? Often, we find ourselves wanting to hurry and finish a project. We become angry and blame ourselves when it might not come together as quickly or in the way we expected. Know that we can slow down, take our time, and trust in God.

We can be resilient and still know it’s alright to allow ourselves to take a break. We can be independent and still need to lean on the strength of our community. We can know that we did our best at the time, yet still allow room for growth to learn more. Most importantly, rest in the promises from the Word of God:

…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7 ESV)

So, in this new year on our journey as creatives, let’s learn not to be too hard on ourselves. Offer yourself the very same grace we would extend to others. Work hard to achieve your vision and set deadlines to meet those goals. But know there will be times when life interferes and give yourself grace for those moments. Sometimes you just need to take that break and know it is ok. Rest in the assurance of God’s plan and timing.

Goal Setting/

The Fight to Stay Relevant

As a creative, do you feel the pressure to constantly create relevant content? Do you feel the pressure to come up with new ideas to grow your platform? Are you overwhelmed trying to maintain your social media following? What are the best ways we can fill our pages with new and trendy topics?

If you are like me, you probably have been confronted with at least one of these questions. When we give in to that line of thinking, those questions can play in a nonstop loop in our minds. Even as we generate new material, we often second guess ourselves. We question our ability to produce material people will like. If they do not relate to or do not like it, then we risk losing our audience. While creating and maintaining a platform is vital for creatives, we cannot allow fear to dominate our thoughts. When we allow that fear to govern us, we succumb to the pressure of pleasing people. We risk losing the authenticity of our art. Instead of co-creating with God, we try to manufacture content based solely on what we think our audience wants.

Art created solely with the purpose of growing a list of followers may attract new people in the beginning, but when we trust our own ideas, we lose the authenticity of the work. That platform we labor to build will not last. Only what we create through the wisdom and insight God gives us will impact others for the Kingdom.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Prov. 3:5-6 (ESV)

Instead of working in our own strength to reach people, we must trust God to reach those He wants to reach through.

Allow God to guide the inspiration for our art. Do not let the desire to cater to our audience be the driving force for what we create. Contrary to what our current culture dictates, creatives do not need to be constantly posting, sharing, or developing material for general consumption. Sometimes we need to step back from all the busy to find out what message God wants to release through our work. That can mean slowing down to focus on other areas like our families, or friends, or taking a slower pace during the holidays. Whatever the reason, give yourself permission to take that time without feeling guilty or worrying that you might lose your platform. When we submit and allow God to build it, He will be faithful to show us how to sustain what He creates through our work.

 

 

Personal Growth/

Why Christian Creatives Need Community

The more I have pursued writing, the more I realize what a solitary endeavor it can be. As an introvert, I thought I would be totally fine. Over recent months, I discovered that, despite my introverted preferences, I still need community in a big way. God shows me daily how much I rely on those around me in my journey as a writer. Even when I don’t want to interact in person, I need the support of my people. None of this creative work we do would have any substantive meaning without community. As we read in the following verses, we see God intends for us to be in community and fellowship with each other.

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

If this is His design for us as believers, then certainly we need to extend the same principle in our work. God does not expect us to live or create in a vacuum. Although we may sit alone at our computers when we pen the words He gives us, or draw and paint the images He shows us, or play the melodies He sings to us, we do not accomplish the work alone.

I’ve been thinking about this for weeks and it seems like everyone around me shares the same message. What a reminder to me how important that message is to all of us. We cannot do this work without community. As I pondered my thoughts for this article, one of the authors I follow on social media posted these words.

“Writers (creatives) need encouragers, prayer warriors, mentors, colleagues, friends, family, inspirers, readers (consumers), and everyone in between. Life wasn’t meant to do alone, and neither is writing (being a creative).” From author Natalie Walters

I have found this to be so true for me. Every step of the way God provided people to walk alongside me. Each time I reached in my work when I did not know how to move forward, God brought someone into my life who helped me figure it out. I have been absolutely overwhelmed with His goodness. He knows just who and what we need at exactly the right time.

Whether you work as an artist, a writer, a composer, a singer, or an entrepreneur, remember that you are not meant to do it alone. If you lack community, pray, and ask God to bring you into contact with your people—the ones He ordained to walk this journey with you. He has certainly done that for me, and I know He will for you as well.

For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. Romans 1:11-12

 

Faith/

At His Word

I think the title of this post is my new favorite phrase right now. “At His Word” reminds me that Jesus is the one who makes all things possible even when we want to give up. Recently, I read through Luke chapter five and one of the most often repeated bible stories came alive for me in a new way. Here is the account from Luke 5:1-6 when Jesus sat in the boat teaching the crowd and what followed:

On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him (Jesus) to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.

I have read this passage many times. I always think of the fish and the nets overflowing and how excited the fishermen must have been after not catching anything all night. After their unsuccessful trip they were ready to stop, go home, probably rest, and make plans for the next fishing trip. However, that’s not what happened. This time Jesus was there, in the midst of their circumstances. That changed everything.

Jesus told Simon to push out into the deep to fish. Simon told Jesus they had toiled all night and not caught anything (as if Jesus didn’t already know), but “at your word,” we go again. Their nets were so full, they overflowed and broke. What made the difference? Jesus did! His presence. His word. Because He said so, Simon was willing to try again. They had done all they could, used all their training and skill, but came away empty handed. They did everything right, but Jesus made all the difference. Now I don’t know whether Simon thought, “I will do it and show you it won’t work.” Was he simply acting out of obedience even though he may have doubted their success? Or was he fully stepping out in faith trusting in Jesus? We don’t truly know what Simon was thinking. We just know he acknowledged he was doing it because of the word Jesus spoke.

Why did the simple phrase “at your word” grab my attention this time? I thought about the many times I have tried things my own way, in my own timing and my own strength and they didn’t work. Even though I was weary from my efforts, I know there are instances when God told me to try again. As creatives, we pour ourselves into our work and often face rejection. We don’t get that publishing contract, record deal, or whatever we are working to achieve. However, this story reminds me to be ready so when God tells us to go back and do it again, we are willing to obey. We must have the faith to trust that if God tells us to do it again, He has a blessing on the other side for us.

How many times have we tried to complete a project? How many times has our work been rejected? How often have we gotten discouraged when we didn’t see the results of our hard work pay off? It happens so often; we probably want to give up. Like Simon, we might be doing everything right with all the knowledge, training, and skill we have, yet we still come up empty handed. we see someone else succeeding and we decide to copy what they are doing since our efforts have failed. Maybe we see the success of others and decide to copy what they are doing, hoping that will make the difference. I can tell you it absolutely will not. God doesn’t give each of us unique gifts and abilities so we can copy someone else.

God wants us to walk in relationship with Him so that when He speaks to us, we hear His word and know exactly what to do and when to do it.

When He tells us to try again, be willing to step out one more time “at His Word” just like Simon did. Although, we may be reluctant to step out because of previous failures, trust Jesus when He speaks. If we are doing what we are called to do, we must not give up. One day, God will speak and put His word into action over the situation and breakthrough will come. We will see Ephesians 3:20 in action with “him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us…” Doors will open, divine appointments will happen when we least expect them. At His Word Jesus can fill our nets. At His Word He can bring dead things back to life.

Keep trying and don’t give up so when your “at His Word” moment happens you will be ready to pull your net in. If Simon had not still been in position with the boat, the net, and the other fishermen, he would not have been in place to receive that Word, act on it and then pull in the overflow.

Productivity/

How to Overcome Feeling Stuck

What happens when you feel like you are stuck in a rut creatively? Whenever I feel like I am stuck, I find myself doubting my ability to create anything at all ever again. Where did the new ideas and inspiration go? Where is the motivation?

As a creative artist, I believe we need to keep ourselves open to the Creator who inspires us. Sometimes, it may feel like we’ve lost that inspiration or even the joy of creating and it has simply become another task to check off our to-do list. I honestly do not believe that is the best way to function when we are partnering with God in the gifts, He has placed within each of us. I also know in this world we live in, we have so many other responsibilities that pull on our time and energy, that distract us from the creative work we want to do.

We all have different reasons why we might feel stagnant in our creativity. Sometimes we need to give ourselves permission to take a break. I have compiled a list of ideas that have helped me when I have hit a wall in my writing.

*Listen to music that inspires

*Read a book or article or blog you enjoy

*Look at other creatives that inspire us in a different medium

*Talking through ideas may help bring clarity

*Do something completely unrelated for fun – go for a walk, exercise, connect with a friend…etc.

*Pray for wisdom, seek God’s direction for your project.

Sometimes, we must simply be still, listen, pray, and wait for God’s guidance. Learn to be patient and give yourself grace. Do not rush the work. You can learn a lot in the midst of waiting that can be incorporated into your work. Our creative work is not about checking off boxes for the sake of saying we are productive. We should focus on the inspiration God gives us and when we do that, we will be able to produce the best work because it’s not about what we can contribute, but about what God wants us to do.

Personal Growth/

How Comparison Hinders Creativity

I am always excited when I have a vision for a project that utilizes my creative abilities. However, I have also noticed one major obstacle that hinders my progress every single time—comparison. I believe many creatives have the tendency to compare not only our art, but ourselves to other art and creatives around us.

We naturally consume the art others create and that can take many forms from books, to movies, to music, and more. We fall into the trap when we start to compare because comparison kills creativity. Why is that? Because once we start comparing what we create, we end up trying to fit in, or measure up to, or even copy what others are doing. God didn’t bestow gifts and talents upon each one of us so we can duplicate what others create. That will impede our creative process and stifle our ability to listen and produce what God intends for us to share.

Often, instead of simply enjoying the art of others, we decide what they are doing is better than anything we can create. As a result, we either try to alter our work or even to stop creating all together. We believe the lies saying our work won’t be good enough. We convince ourselves that someone else’s voice carries more weight than ours – that they can say it, draw it, write it, or sing it better than we ever could. So, why should we even keep trying? Here is why: God created diversity in each one of us. So, even though we might share similar talents, our expression of that talent will be completely different than someone else’s. It’s supposed to be that way. Different does not mean better or worse.

Consuming other creative work is great! But the trap? Thinking someone else’s brilliance dims yours.

If God desired sameness, He would have created everyone the same. Our expression of the vision and message He gives each one of us reflects our unique individuality. In addition, we each have access to various audiences based on our spheres of influence. While I may write a book with a similar message as someone else, we will not reach the same people. It takes all of us. God has given each one of us creative visions and gifts that are perfectly suited for the message and the audience we have.

So, let’s stop being so hard on ourselves in comparing our work, thinking what we have created does not measure up. We are partnering with the Master Creator. If we keep our hearts attuned to His voice, we will express His message in the unique way He designed for each one of us.

Personal Growth/

How to Break Through the Creative Wall with Grace

How often do you find yourself questioning the path of your creative journey? Ever wondered how your unique approach to creation aligns with your faith and life as a Christian woman entrepreneur?

As creatives we must learn to trust the process of creating. Whatever form our creativity takes, there is a process. I think that is one of the hardest aspects I have been learning. For me, I have noticed three distinct patterns:

1. At times, the inspiration hits fast and hard. The vision of the project appears along with the specific ideas to complete it – a story, a song, an article, a book, whatever our medium. It unfolds effortlessly and very quickly. While this may sound like what we prefer, it’s not often the most common avenue (at least not in my experience).

2. Other times ideas start to flow like a steady stream – not all at once, but still a nice pace where we can develop our thread of ideas. While not all immediate, the work comes at a pace allowing us to fall into a comfortable rhythm.

3. The third pattern I have noticed with myself is probably my least favorite. This involves getting the big idea and nothing else. We may even visualize the completed project but have no idea how to maneuver from point A to the end. While we may have a clear idea of what it’s supposed to look like, we struggle to put the pieces of the puzzle together.

When we feel we’re not moving, we’re growing. Let’s trust in His plan, His process, and our God-given talents.

I think the third pattern I mentioned can be the most difficult to endure, but it often brings the most personal growth. Doubts about the vision and calling speak louder than the inspiration of ideas. Often in this valley, the project dies because we succumb to the temptation to give up. This is when we dig our heels in and persevere. We must learn the discipline of consistency and be steadfast in our determination to see the work through to completion.

Remember as creatives, we actually serve the work – as collaborators, trusting the Master Creator and using our God-given gifts as He designed us to use them. So, whether the ideas hit like lightening, or we find ourselves plodding along, it all comes from God. When we seek Him in all that we do, the work will be done in His time and serve the purposes He ordained. Both the process and the completed work often look vastly different from what we originally conceived.

One of the verses I always think about when I am not sure how to move forward with the work comes from Phil 1:5-6 ESV:

“…because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Through every business challenge, every creative block, He is with us.

Not every piece we write, or every song we compose, or video we produce, will be our best masterpiece. But we must be disciplined enough to show up consistently for the work. The alternative is not something we want. Once we are an artist of any kind, we are always an artist. And if we are a creative who ceases to create, we lose a crucial part of who God created us to be.

We are left with a void because we stop acknowledging a vital part of who we are along with that aspect of our connection with the God. So, even amid the difficulties, find a way to stay open to that part of who you are. Stay faithful to the work of collaborating with God – in whatever form that takes for you. Trust Him to lead you through the process.

Our Latest YouTube Videos