A Letter to the Time-Limited Creative

Welcome to the first week in September! Though it’s not fall yet, the weather here has cooled, which I am grateful for. With all the busyness of life this past summer, the Lord laid a topic on my heart which I wanted to share today. I hope it blesses you as much as it did me!

A Letter to the Time-Limited Creative

“But you have an anointing from the Holy One.” – 1 John 2:20 

 All of us have something God has anointed us to do. For some, it might be preaching. Others, it might be driving trucks, working retail, designing buildings, authoring books, or nursing the sick. Regardless of what it is, only by the help of the Holy Spirit can we achieve our true ministry. Why? 

 1 John 2:26 is clear to tell us that the Holy Spirit is our comforter. But He’s also here to teach us and bring to our remembrance the Word—and if there’s any special thing we need, He’ll bring that to our memories too. He will bring everything we need in our callings to our memories if we let Him. 

 Off and on the past few months, I’ve been struggling a little with my writing. I see so many other writers chewing out more words than me. Working quicker towards their goals of publication. Getting their queries accepted. Their writing looks stronger, their ideas more polished. 

And while I’m happy for them, I sometimes struggle with wondering if I’m not doing something right. Maybe I should stay more focused on one project or blog more to grow my platform. And I think the worst part of it, is once I was (in most areas) where these writers are. I was once able to chew out that many words per week/month. I was once working that swiftly towards my goal of publication. I once thought my writing looked that polished. 

Part of it is our stages in life, I know. Most of the writers I know are still in school. When I was in school, I was also able to chew out that many words and work that quickly towards my goals. Now that’s stalled. I have a job and internship I’m invested in and love. I also have family matters I didn’t have back then I must take care of. I have less time than I did back then. And that’s okay. That’s where I have to remind myself of 2 Corinthians 10:12, which says not to compare oneself with another. We have different priorities and different callings.

Yet there’s another consolation. The Holy Spirit has given us power (Acts 1:8) to accomplish what He has called us to do. Most people don’t stand on the Word and believe they received His power, but instead stand on their feelings. And very often, feelings are a place of discouragement, which is exactly where I’ve found myself every so often in the past few months. 

This is where I must remind myself not to rely on human feelings or desires. Earthly desires aren’t God’s. I have a sticky note on my computer with 1 Corinthians 10:31 on it, to remind myself to seek to bring God, not myself, glory. And if God takes me on a slower—or different—path than those around me for His glory, why should I complain or feel disappointed or hurt?

So when I feel tempted to compare myself, or when feelings of discouragement or wondering what/if I’m doing something wrong come to me, I return to the Lord and what He told me to do. What the desire, the calling He put into my heart and life is, and I break away from all the other influences. I ask myself why I feel a certain way. Why I want to do a certain thing? If it’s not because God told me or led me, then I set it aside. I ignore my feelings and continue on in faith. 

I know as long as I’m following the Lord, whether I write an entire novel within a few months or I find myself still working on the first half of my novel after two years, I’ll get done exactly what I need to get done when I need to. Nobody’s any less of a writer (or artist, or musician, or whatever your creative medium might be) than the next person who seems to be getting more done. The Lord’s just taking you on a different journey than them. Don’t compare yourself, but stay focused on Him.

So if you’re a time-limited creative like me, take hope! Because I have the Holy Spirit and His power, He will teach me all things I need to know, and He will help me succeed in the plans He has for me, plans for me to prosper and have good success. And if you let Him, He’ll do the same for you. 

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I hope this post encouraged you in your walk with the Lord and in your creativity. Is there any area regarding creativity you are struggling in? Take it to the Lord–He’s always here for help and comfort! What is something the Lord has shown you recently in His Word? Let me know in the comments below. ~ Kay Adelin