Do you have a friend or group of friends that you affectionately call "your people"? You know- the people that just get you, that understand what you are trying to say (even when you are terribly describing it), or that understand your trials, hardships, and experiences because they too have been there?
And when you find those people, you simply cannot get enough of them! They fill up your love tank, think tank, or even belly laugh tank. These people get it, meet you where you are at, and help you see that the world is a better place simply because you are in it.
For me, many of "my people" are diverse creative people. Dancers, choreographers, musicians, writers, painters, teachers, and hard core mommas. All who will shake and move the world with their God-given talents and beauty only they can create and share in the most eloquent ways.
Now I am sure at one point in time, we were are all scared to share our creative work with the world (maybe to the point of nearly poopin' our pants). Our creativity can feel quite personal, drawn from our experiences from the bitterness, unfairness, and rawness of the world. These thoughts can often cross our mind: What if my stuff stinks, like literally stinks? What if I am not good enough? What if people think less of me? What if people hate it? What if people judge or ridicule me? What if I offend someone?
The bible says that we are all light. And we are to let our lights shine before others. We are not to damper this light by putting it in the basement with a basket over it. No! We are to put our lamp high on a hill for all to see. So that others may see our good works and give glory to our father in heaven (Matthew 5:15-16).
I know for a fact that the world would be a very grim and dark place without my people in it. I cannot imagine if my creative peeps hid their talents and skills in their basements, covered with a basket, never for their work to see the light of day.
I think we often forget that our creator himself, is well, a fellow creative. He designed the stars, moon, and earth, and the land, and seas, and all the plants, the flowers, and animals and.... well, you and me too!
He loves to create beautiful sunsets, landscapes, and babies for us to adore. He delights in our own creativity as it is a reflection of him. Creativity is truly one of God's love languages. He's proud of all our creative endeavors, even the ones that go flop!
Romans 12:2 says "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
God does not want our creativity to live within the box this world (and the enemy) so desperately wants us live in. No! Our God wants us to express ourselves and share our creativity with others. It brings joy, it brings color and love and light, it inspires, it motivates, it encourages, and it shows us that this world has so many more brilliant things to explore and discover.
In her book, Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert shares a story about another book she wrote. Later, a reader of the book commended Elizabeth for writing it and shared how much the book helped the reader get through a tough season in her own life. Problem is, that the reader embroidered herself into the story and erased the actual narrative in the process.
Now Elizabeth Gilbert could have told this person off. She could have corrected the reader or given her a piece of her mind, defending her beautiful book and all its characters and narratives. But instead, she states "I submit that this woman had the God-given right to misread my book however she wants to misread it. Once my book entered her hands, after all, everything about it belongs to her, and never again to me."
Elizabeth Gilbert then goes on to say "Recognizing this reality - that the reaction doesn't belong to you- is the only sane way to create. If people enjoy what you've created, terrific. If people ignore what you've created, too bad. If people misunderstand what you've created, don't sweat it. And what if people absolutely hate what you've created? What if people attack you with savage vitriol, and insult your intelligence, and malign your motives, and drag your good name through the mud? Just smile sweetly and suggest - as politely as you possibly can - that they can go make their own f***ing art. Then stubbornly continue making yours."
Let's not be afraid of the outcomes or reactions. For they were never ours to own in the first place! Let's just smile sweetly and keep following the creative paths God has already destined for us. And what if we fail? Oh friend- but what if we succeed?!
"God of creation There at the start Before the beginning of time With no point of reference You spoke to the dark And fleshed out the wonder of light
And as You speak A hundred billion galaxies are born In the vapour of Your breath the planets form If the stars were made to worship so will I I can see Your heart in everything You've made Every burning star A signal fire of grace If creation sings Your praises so will I"