How To Know If You Are On The Right Track

People ask me all the time, “Matt, how do I know that I am on the right track?  How do I know that I am following God’s best for my life?”  It’s a great question and one that I’ve asked myself many times as I’ve journeyed through life. Over the years, I’ve learned two keys that have helped me find and stay on the path God has for my life and my art.

Start By Following the Favor
One of the things that I have done over the years that has served me well is what I call “Follow the Favor.”  It’s easy. Look around in your life and pay attention to see where God is moving.  Pay special attention to:

• The things God is blessing in your life 
• The doors that God is opening in your life 
•  The things you do that seem to come naturally to you
• The things that make others say, “WOAH!  You are really good at that.”

All of these are clues that point to your divine design and purpose. And as you continue saying “Yes” to the opportunities and open doors, faithfully using the natural talents you’ve been given, your confidence will begin to grow.  As you are faithful to use the opportunities, open doors, and skills He’s trusted you with; God will continue to show up in your life in huge ways. 

Find Your People
Surrounding yourself with other Kingdom-minded artists is one of the best ways to confirm you’re on the right track. Why? Well, it’s simple. The enemy loves to isolate and separate God’s kids. He loves to get us on our own and fill our heads with lies and fill us full of fear and doubt. Lies like:

• Are you really an artist? 
•  Are you really called to sell your art? 
•  Are you any good? 
• What if no one likes what you do?
• What if no one buys what you do?
• What if…..

But when you surround yourself with others that are in your “tribe,” your people, all of a sudden, you begin to see yourself and your journey in a whole new light. You begin to realize, “Hey, I am not as weird as I thought I was,” especially when you start to connect with other artists who are called to serve the Kingdom of God with their gifts and talents.

And in that place of connectedness, there is an incredible grace that gets released. When you stop trying to do life and art on your own and start walking with others on the same journey, faith, momentum, acceleration, and breakthrough become your new normal.