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.