Live Creatively {Kate Dommel}
As a photographer, I have struggled plenty with a lot of things. Whether I was comparing myself to other photographers, drowning in a lack of confidence, wondering why I had little or no clients, or flat out thinking maybe I’m just not good enough to support myself and create for a living….it all added up. The discouragement brought me to my knees, and made me want to quit. Not just photography, but everything creative. I got to a point where I just felt dried up. This is the dark place where I was when God met me.
Learning these lessons have been a long road, and so the things I say here might just fly over your head. I’m sure I actually heard them many times before they sank into my soul. The one thing that was always there, even when I felt so empty, was a deep longing for Jesus. Sometimes I could barely sense it, but it has always been there. And that’s the place I was able to draw from, every day, until finally, I wanted to make again. This longing in our souls for Christ, and the desire to create come from the same place.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. All things came into being through Him. This is our God, this is Jesus! The savior of all mankind, and the One we are called to strive to be like with every fiber of our being. Creating is a godly act, and in doing so, we glorify the ultimate Creator. The desire that lives deep within your heart to create is from God.
This is where things sometime get complicated. We want to make awesome things, but we are constantly comparing ourselves to others, judging ourselves on a flawed standard. We think that we aren’t as good as someone else, that maybe someday we’ll get there. Sometimes, we believe that we just aren’t good enough to make it at all. These are straight up lies. God knows that we have this tendency to compare, but He also knows that we all desire to be original.
Galatians 5:25-26/6:1-5 (The Message)
5 25-26 Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.
6 1-3 Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.
4-5 Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
What you fill yourself with is what pours out on everything and everyone around you. This includes what you believe about yourself. Comparing yourself with others is a huge waste of time, and it’s harmful to your original self. The you that God created you to be! Ultimately, the point is that it isn’t about us at all. God is at work! Creating, whether it is a putting together a gourmet meal, filming a movie, working with children, taking pictures…what it is isn’t as important as who it’s for. I’m not saying everyone should create art for a living, I’m saying that no matter what you do or where you are in life, you are called to be creative!
The deeper you fall for your Savior and the more you understand Him, the more you want to create and glorify Him. God doesn’t always use the most talented people to accomplish His will, He uses the most willing. How open are you to Him? Does your soul long for Him and for His will? If so, indulge it! Give in to these desires, and feed the hunger. The more you get to know God, the better you can hear His voice. Dont just say where you want to be, live it now. Set goals, and work hard to accomplish them. And all along the way, beneath everything, work in your relationship with Jesus. When you do that, His light will shine through you and His blessings will pour out on you.
Love, Katie
(Supporting verses: Gen 1:1, John 1:1, John 1:14, 1 Cor. 11:1, Gal. 5-6)
