Since I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be a performer. To hear my family tell it, they would share the memories of me dressing up in my mother’s clothes complete with heels and jewelry as I sang and danced around the house. My “performances” became more sophisticated as I grew but they were nonetheless humorous. As I grew in my craft and faith, I became keenly aware that this was a gift. A gift from God. I felt strongly that I didn’t just choose this path but that it had chosen me. For many years I’ve been a Creative and a Christian. But it wasn’t until these recent years that I began to reflect heavily on the intersection of my gift and my faith. If you’re like me then you may be asking the same question. What is a Christian Creative and are you one?
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A Christian Creative
If I had to define what a Christian Creative was, I would say it is a person who is gifted in the performing or visual arts and uses their gift to glorify God and expand His kingdom. Christian Creatives are surrendered to God. Not only are their lifestyles surrendered but their gifts as well.
As a fellow Creative, I know how easy it is to fall into the belief that our gifts define us. They become our identities. Without them, we feel lost. But God has taken me on a journey these past few years. I had to learn to lay down the talent He had given me and really discover who I am. It was only then that I discovered that I am not defined by my artistry but that my artistry is an expression of my identity. I am God’s daughter first, Creative second.
Surrender & Identity
This was not an easy revelation to receive. And it definitely took some time to accept. But I had to realize that I had put more trust in the gift that God had given me than I did in God Himself and all in the name of God. I was completely heartbroken with the thought that I would never be used the way I expected to. It’s a thin line that we must be aware of. I had to learn that true surrender includes releasing control of the vision and the dream that I had for myself concerning my gift no matter how much I believed it to come from God. God should always be in control even if He says to lay it down.
Surrender and identity are vital for a Creative. Because if we don’t know our true identity, outside of our talent, and we aren’t willing to live completely surrendered to God, then we risk compromise. A Christian Creative moves when God says move, they go where God says go, and they deny when God tells them to deny.
Awards, accolades, and opportunities are great but they should just be icing on the cake. The motivation and the purpose of our gift should first and foremost be to serve the will of God. With every project and gig that we take on, we must ask ourselves, how can this glorify God? Sometimes it’s the project itself or the woman behind the scenes who needs to hear the gospel. But have you surrendered so that God can use you? Many Creatives happen to be Christians but not all of them are Christian Creatives. Are you?
With Love,
Tamara
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