How Do I Really Know God Wants Me to Be an Artist?

I love this question, mainly because I think a lot of artists who are Christians have struggled with it over the years, I know I did.  Now if this is you, the first thing I want you to know is that I think you’re on the right path because God loves the fact that you are even asking these deep questions in the first place! He wants you to get this more than you do.

His word tells us in Proverbs 25:2 that “it’s the glory of God to conceal a matter, it's the glory of kings to search it out”. In other words, as we're on this journey of exploring life with the Lord, as we lean into this adventure with Him, He progressively reveals His plans for our life.

Is God an Artist?
The first way God revealed Himself to humanity in the Bible was as an artist, the Creator of the Universe. He's not only an artist, He is the originator of all beauty and creativity. If we consider the universe as God’s canvas, then undoubtedly, God is the greatest artist. The creativity inherent in the world around us is a testament to this. Every sunset painted across the sky, every unique snowflake, every human face – they all reflect God’s artistic nature. As artists, recognizing God as the ultimate artist can be a source of inspiration and a reminder of the limitless creativity that we can tap into.

Your gift of creativity and artistic talent is unique part of God's creativity, manifested through your life. Your art is an echo of His voice resonating in your heart. He not only loves creating, He loves creating with you through the power of the Holy Spirit. Remember, creating is God's idea and when you do, you connect with His heart as an artist. What an opportunity!

Your Uniqueness as a Christian Artist
You have to realize that God created you uniquely to release and reveal His light, His glory, and His love through the use and expression of the gifts, talents, and desires He placed within you. God, the Creator of the Universe, put an investment of Himself in you even before you were born. How exciting!

Into your life, God sowed His passions, His love, and His desires in just the right measure to make the best use of the skills, talents, and abilities He blessed you with.  Now somewhere along the way, your experimentations and experiences began to trigger a passion and a proclivity for creating.

It was in those early moments of expressing your latent talents that God began to direct the steps of your journey, leaving you clues along the way conveniently disguised as passions, desires, and yearnings to create.

Your Journey of Exploration
Take a look at your journey up to this point especially concerning the exploration and use of your creative talents. Have you had those times where you stood back and looked at a piece you’ve just created and the thought, “Hey, I really love this,” or “Wow, I really made this” went through your mind? Has creating art ever left you feeling really connected, not only just to God, but to something much bigger than yourself?  Has the lack of expressing your creativity ever left you feeling empty, like something big was missing from your life? If you can relate to any of this, then that’s a pretty good indicator that God just might want you to be an artist. 

You see, God has been giving you the opportunity and the authority to explore and move in a direction over the course of your whole life.  And as you’ve been faithful to take those first few steps artistically, He confirmed His direction and plan for your life with favor, with opportunity, with blessing, and with provision. 

Look back at your artistic journey and think about those chance encounters, those divine appointments, in your life that opened your eyes to the possibility and viability of being an artist. Again, as you’ve followed God’s “breadcrumbs” - those directional clues along your path - God has been using the “chance encounters”, those encouraging words, bursts of passion and artistic clarity to confirm the plans He has had for you all along.

God is for you as a Christian Artist!
God wants you to step into your design more than even you want to! This is not some kind of struggle where God's trying to hide His plans from you and you're just stuck and alone trying to make something happen. Rather this journey called life is about aligning yourself with who God has made you to be. And as you do that, He opens the doors of His presence and fulfilment in your life so that you can really be the person that God created you to be.

Embrace the adventure of this journey with all the passion you can muster. Start walking down that road, looking for those design clues along the way. Start looking for that feeling of peace and fulfillment that comes as you express your creativity.  Listen out for those comments from others that say, "Wow, you are really talented at this," or, "Wow, God's really using that in this area." As you do this, God will begin to bring confirmation and confidence to know for sure that yes, God really does want you to be an artist.  

How to Know What God Wants Me to Do...

Discerning God's will through hearing His voice is central to our faith journey as artists and as believers. This process involves a combination of scriptural grounding, prayerful listening, and openness to the Holy Spirit's guidance.
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1. Scriptural Foundation: The Bible is the primary source for understanding God's character and will. Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV) says, "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking God's guidance through prayer and expecting Him to respond.
2. Prayer and Meditation: Regular prayer and meditation are vital in developing the ability to hear God's voice. Psalm 46:10 (NKJV) advises, "Be still, and know that I am God." In the stillness of prayer, believers can attune their hearts to hear God's voice more clearly.
3. Recognizing the Voice of God: Understanding how God communicates is key. John 10:27 (NKJV) says, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." God's voice is often recognized by its alignment with Scripture and its character of peace, love, and truth.
4. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding believers. According to Romans 8:14 (NKJV), "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." The Holy Spirit provides inner conviction and direction, helping believers discern God's will.
5. Community and Accountability: Seeking counsel from mature Christians and being part of a spiritual community can provide clarity and confirmation. Proverbs 11:14 (NKJV) states, "Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety." Community provides a space for discernment and affirmation of God's voice.
6. Obedience and Faith: Hearing God's voice also involves a willingness to obey and step out in faith. James 1:22 (NKJV) encourages believers to be "doers of the word, and not hearers only." Acting on what God reveals is crucial in the journey of faith.
7. Discernment and Testing: Believers are advised to test what they hear against Scripture and the character of God. 1 John 4:1 (NKJV) warns, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God." This process ensures that one is truly hearing from God and not being misled.
8. Patience and Trust: Understanding God's timing is part of discerning His will. Psalm 37:7 (NKJV) says, "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." Trusting in God's timing is essential, even when His voice seems silent.

Hearing God's voice and knowing His will is a multifaceted process that involves scriptural guidance, prayerful listening, reliance on the Holy Spirit, community support, obedience, discernment, and trust in God's timing.

How to Know What Career God Wants for You

For artists seeking to discern whether they are called by God to pursue a career as a vocational artist, several steps and considerations can be helpful:
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1. Prayer and Reflection: Begin with prayer, asking God for guidance and clarity about your calling. Reflect on your passions, talents, and how you feel most connected to God when creating art.
2. Seek God’s Presence in Your Art: Consider whether you feel God's presence and guidance when you engage in your art. Is your art a form of worship or a way to connect with God?
3. Assess Your God-Given Talents: God equips us with specific talents and gifts. Evaluate your artistic skills honestly. Are they aligned with a vocational calling?
4. Confirmation Through Scripture: Seek confirmation through Scripture. Verses like Exodus 35:35, which speaks about God endowing artisans with skill, can be insightful.
5. Seeking Wise Counsel: Consult with mentors, pastors, or other artists. They can offer perspective on your skills and spiritual calling.
6. Observing the Fruits of Your Work: Consider the impact of your art. Does it inspire, uplift, or bring people closer to God? Positive impacts can be a sign of God’s blessing on your artistic endeavors.
7. Understanding the Sacrifices and Commitments: Recognize the challenges of a career in art. Are you prepared for the practical realities of such a career path, including financial, personal, and spiritual challenges?
8. Openness to God’s Plan: Be open to the possibility that God's plan for you might be different from your expectations. Sometimes, God uses our talents in unexpected ways.
9. Balancing Art and Other Responsibilities: Consider how a career in art aligns with other responsibilities in your life. Does it enable you to serve God and others effectively?
10. Ongoing Dialogue with God: Keep an ongoing dialogue with God through prayer and reflection. Be attentive to how He might be leading or redirecting you over time.
11. Testing the Waters: Try taking small steps towards a career in art. This could include part-time work, volunteering, or teaching art. See how these experiences resonate with your sense of calling.
12. Seeking Peace and Confirmation: Finally, seek a sense of peace in your decision. Philippians 4:7 talks about the peace of God that transcends understanding. If you feel peace about pursuing art as a vocation, it could be a confirmation of your calling.
13. Finding an Art Mentor: A mentor can provide invaluable guidance, inspiration, and practical advice drawn from their own experiences. A mentor can help you navigate the challenges of an artistic career, offer constructive criticism, and encourage your spiritual and artistic growth. They can be a sounding board for your ideas and a source of encouragement.
14. Joining a Community of Artists: Being part of a community of artists offers a sense of belonging and support. Such communities can provide opportunities for collaboration, networking, and exposure to different styles and techniques. They can also be a source of spiritual and emotional support, where members can share their faith journeys and how it intersects with their art.
    
    Both a mentor and a community can play pivotal roles in helping you discern and flourish in your calling as a vocational artist. They can offer practical advice, emotional support, spiritual guidance, and opportunities for growth and collaboration.
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Remember, discerning a career as a vocational artist is a deeply personal and spiritual journey. It involves prayer, reflection, counsel, and a willingness to trust in God’s plan for your life, even when it leads down unexpected paths.

"I Want to Be an Artist"
If you find yourself saying, “I want to be an artist,” know that this desire is a reflection of the Creator within you. It's a calling to participate in the act of creating beauty and meaning in the world. However, like any calling, it comes with its challenges and learning curves.

This is where the Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program comes into play. Imagine a community where your artistic passion is nurtured, where you can grow both in your craft and in your spiritual journey. This program is not just about developing skills; it's about understanding how your art intersects with your faith.

In this mentorship, you'll find guidance, support, and wisdom to navigate the art world while staying true to your spiritual values. You'll learn how to market your art, connect with buyers, and most importantly, how to weave your faith into your artistic narrative.

Join the Journey
I encourage you to explore the Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program. Visit http://www.matttommeymentoring.com/artmentor to learn more about how this program can support and elevate your artistic calling. Here, you’re not just learning to become an artist; you’re stepping into a journey of becoming who God created you to be – a creator, a visionary, a reflection of His creative spirit.

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