One of the questions I get a lot from artists and creative types is “How can I do what I love creatively full-time?” Many times what’s underneath that question is a feeling that they know there’s more but they feel really bogged down with all the issues that life and a full-time job entail. Deeper still are feelings of being overwhelmed, frustrated and dissatisfied with life as they currently know it. Couple that with the fact that almost all creatives are major dreamers, always believing that “the grass is greener” and you’ve got a recipe for some moody artistic temperaments to begin to flair up! I’ll do my best to put this into perspective.
First off, just because you are an artist doesn’t mean you have to do it as a full-time job that supports you financially. GASP! I know, I know, you may think I’ve just broken the cardinal rule of all artists, but it’s the truth. True art and creativity are expressions of our heart – they are overflow of what we are about on the inside. Some people’s overflow is for themselves alone where as others may be for their family, local church, region or nation. Many people are creative but not everyone is called to be a full-time working artist or musician. Believe me, if you’re not called to it then please don’t force yourself there prematurely. It will lead to a place of you hating your art, being way more frustrated than you are now, and feeling tons of anxiety because the thing you just knew you were supposed to do is not really that at all. The main point here is that you have to know in your heart of hearts with great clarity what it is that God’s called you to do and then begin to walk in that direction.
Now you may already know what it is that God’s called you to do but your frustration is that you’re not there yet. This is common for all dreamers. We can see the end result but get really upset because we’re not seeing it manifest in our lives right now. So what to do? I call it building a bridge.
You see, we’re all on a road to somewhere. It’s up to you to define that somewhere with the Lord. The fact remains however, that there is much for you to experience, receive and learn in the process. Honestly, if God were to just place us right now into the fullness of what he created us for we would totally screw it up. Why? Because He’s still forging those attributes that we need in our life so at the right time we’ll be found ready to take the reigns of destiny and go for it! Let me offer a few signposts for you to follow as you build a bridge to your dreams.
- Assess: Where are you now and where do you want to go? Most people overestimate what they can do in one year but underestimate what they can do in three years.
- Strategy: Once you know where you want to go, begin breaking that vision down into bite size pieces. Ask the Father to reveal to you what you need for the next steps – money, time, relationships, resources, tools, etc.
- Envision: Your heart is an incubator – it manifests whatever you believe. Proverbs says that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. You’ve got to get a clear picture of where you’re going. Ask the Father to clarify the vision and then as you’re with Him, in faith (that is being fully persuaded) meditate on His plans for you!
- Ask: Through 2 Peter 1:3-4 it says you’ve already been given everything you need for life and godliness and that we can participate in the Divine Nature by appropriating God’s precious promises in our life. Also, Hebrews 11:24 says that when you pray believe that you HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED it and you shall have it. So based on God’s precious promises ask in faith for whatever you need and start thanking God that you’ve already received what you need to accomplish the vision he’s placed in your heart.
- Activate: Begin using the gifts and resources the Father has placed in your hands now in the area he’s planted you. Don’t just wait til everything’s perfect to start.
- Follow the Favor: As you walk in faith, using your gifts and envisioning the dream God has set before you, watch for the Father to bring supernatural favor, divine appointments and resources into your life. When you recognize these, act quickly and don’t waste time wondering “I wonder if this is from the Lord or not?” Yes, it is!
- Don’t eat all your seed: One of the things artists tend to do when they start making a little money with their art is spend it! Rather, you need to use that money as seed to invest in your business during this ‘bridge time’. Do you need more equipment, space, tools, etc? Be wise with the money that comes in!
- Constantly Reassess: Every couple of months or so re-evaluate where you are and what you are seeing manifest in your life. Keep fine-tuning the vision.
There’s a lot more I’ll be sharing on this in coming days, but I hope this gets you started in the right direction!
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