The Humility Trap: Why Hiding Your Art Isn’t Honoring God

ISSUE #042

There’s a subtle trap I see far too many sincere, faith-filled artists fall into. It sounds spiritual. It feels humble. But over time, it quietly suffocates confidence, obedience, and impact. It’s the belief that being seen as an artist somehow steals glory from God.

This week, a simple question from one of my students brought that belief into sharp focus. “If I put my name on my art,” she asked, “am I taking credit away from God?” What started as Spirit-led obedience suddenly turned into hesitation and fear. And that’s when I realized—this isn’t just a personal struggle. It’s a widespread misunderstanding of what biblical humility actually looks like for artists.

Here’s the truth: God is not glorified by you hiding what He intentionally placed inside you. He reveals His glory through surrendered, visible lives. When we understand that, everything changes—not just how we create, but how we show up in the world with courage, clarity, and joy.

In His love and creativity,
Matt Tommey

PS – Check out the new Created to Thrive Essentials Course, launching today!

If you’re a Christian artist who wants clear direction on how to start or restart selling your art—what to focus on, what to ignore, and what actually matters right now—this simple, 10-lesson course was created for you.

Find Out More

When Art Becomes a Living Partnership

Kari Roslund’s fiber work goes far beyond materials and technique. Through layered processes, unconventional materials, and a deep walk with God, her art has become a space for connection, healing, and community—where creativity opens hearts and faith quietly does its work. READ MORE

CONNECT

Agreement, Not Erasure

Scripture: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14)

Humility doesn’t mean shrinking back or erasing yourself. It means agreeing with what God has already said about you. Jesus didn’t say you might become light someday—He said you are light right now. Light exists to illuminate, not to hide.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank You that You created me with intention and purpose. I choose to agree with who You say I am—not who fear tells me I should be. Teach me how to walk confidently in obedience without striving or apology. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Action Step:
Ask the Lord this week: “Where have I been hiding out of fear instead of humility?” Write down what He shows you and receive His grace to move forward.

CLARIFY

Redefining Humility

False humility says, “I don’t want it to be about me.” Biblical humility says, “This is God’s story, and I’ve been invited into it on purpose.”

God never erased the identity of the artists He called. He named them. He filled them. He sent them. Your name, your voice, and your story aren’t distractions from God’s glory—they’re the vessels He chose to carry it.

Action Step:
Clarify one belief you’ve held about humility that may actually be rooted in fear. Replace it with this truth: “Humility is agreement with God, not self-denial.”

CREATE

Steward What You’ve Been Given

Creation flows best when it comes from agreement, not pressure. When you stop trying to disappear, your creativity finds new freedom. God didn’t give you your gift so you could bury it safely—He gave it so you could steward it boldly.

Action Step:
Find one piece of art you’ve never signed or shared. Sign it clearly. No hiding. Then take a moment to thank God for trusting you with it.

CULTIVATE

Visibility With Purpose

Being visible isn’t about ego. It’s about intentionality. When you share your work with honesty and obedience, you invite others into encounter—sometimes without even realizing it. People don’t glorify God because you stayed hidden. They glorify Him because His light reached them through your faithfulness.

Action Step:
Share that signed piece of art publicly this week and include a short story about how it was created. Let connection—not performance—be the goal.

The Core4 Focus Planner™

A 90-Day Undated Planner to Help You Stay Focused, Grow Spiritually, and Make Measurable Progress in Your Art

“This planner is my “tool of intentionality” and sits next to my Bible and journal. It’s also the perfect size to hang on to as a way to go back and celebrate the work that I’ve done. Thanks so much!” – Debby

Get Your Core4 Focus Planner Now

WATCH & LISTEN

Episode: The Humility Trap

LISTEN ON APPLEPODCAST

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

In this episode, I unpack why hiding your art isn’t humility at all—and how Scripture reveals a better, freer way forward. We explore named artists in the Bible, Jesus’ words about light, and what real humility looks like for artists who want to honor God without fear.

Key Takeaway:
Humility isn’t denying who you are. It’s stewarding who God says you are—boldly and faithfully.

TECH TIP FOR THRIVING

Instagram is one of the easiest places to practice visible obedience without pressure.

Tip:
Instead of focusing on perfection, post one image or short video reel of your work with a short caption answering just one question: “What was happening in my heart or spirit while I made this?”

Purposeful presence builds trust far more than polished promotion.

🔗 https://www.instagram.com

WORSHIP

As you listen this week, ask the Lord: “Where have I muted my obedience in the name of humility?” Let this song become a declaration that your life — and your art — were meant to praise God in the open.

FEATURED ARTIST: Kari Roslund

IG: @kariroslundstudios
Web: https://kariroslundstudios.com

For Kari Roslund, creativity has never been just about materials or technique—it’s been about listening, responding, and learning how to walk faithfully through seasons of change. As a fiber artist working with traditional processes and unconventional materials, Kari’s work explores themes of community, identity, and connection, inviting viewers to look closer and consider the layers beneath the surface.

Being part of the Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program has played a meaningful role in Kari’s journey, especially during seasons of major transition. Through the encouragement of faith-filled artists who understand the creative life, Kari has found wisdom, clarity, and courage to keep moving forward when opportunities—and challenges—present themselves. Honest, loving feedback within the community has strengthened not only her artwork, but also her confidence, communication, and sense of calling.

Kari is drawn to the way art becomes its own language—one that speaks beyond words. Through fiber and material experimentation, she tells stories that reflect place, belonging, and the evolving ways people see themselves and one another. Familiar techniques take on new meaning as she pushes boundaries, allowing curiosity and observation to guide the work.

One particularly formative season began during a quiet time of meditative journaling while listening to a children’s ministry podcast. In that still moment, Kari sensed a clear invitation toward a space where art and faith could be explored together. What followed wasn’t a single decision, but a two-year unfolding marked by obedience, courage, and trust.

After an unexpected retreat in California, Kari stepped more fully into exploration and creative risk. She began approaching her art practice with fresh freedom—creating alongside God and allowing the work to move beyond what felt familiar. This season opened the door to unexpected expressions, including street ministry and performance art, where creativity became embodied, relational, and responsive to people and place.

As Kari followed God one step at a time, her faith deepened. She began to see creativity not just as a personal practice, but as a way to serve, bless, and create belonging. Art became a vehicle for generosity and shared experience—an invitation rather than a performance.

One powerful example of this unfolded after Kari relocated and met an older couple in her new community. The husband, an atheist struggling with depression, began spending time in her studio simply watching her work. On a whim, he decided to try felting himself. To his surprise, the process brought him deep calm and peace—something he described as even more grounding than counseling. Through shared creative space and gentle presence, Kari has witnessed God using art to soften hearts and bring healing where walls once stood.

Community continues to be a cornerstone of Kari’s creative and spiritual life. One of her most life-giving rhythms is a weekly call with a fellow Created to Thrive member—a connection that began at the 2020 CTT retreat and has remained steady through multiple relocations. These conversations have provided prayer, encouragement, and accountability when local creative community was hard to find.

Kari is keenly aware that different seasons require different postures. Early on, her journey with God and art was marked by play, curiosity, and experimentation. Today, with a studio and gallery space, she’s embracing a season of discipline and consistency. Learning to recognize these seasons—and not confuse them—has helped her better discern the Holy Spirit’s leading and surrender when growth requires stretching.

Her encouragement to fellow artists is both practical and pastoral: embrace where you are right now. Renewing the mind is a daily practice, and recurring challenges are often invitations to listen more closely to God’s voice. As Kari puts it, focusing on the goodness of God allows Him to faithfully walk with us—even through the hardest circumstances.

One strategy that’s opened new doors for Kari has been honestly telling the story behind her work and business. Sharing the journey—not just the finished product—has created unexpected opportunities and deeper connections beyond her immediate circles.

Through fiber, faith, and faithful presence, Kari Roslund continues to show how creativity can become a living partnership with God—one that heals, connects, and quietly transforms lives along the way.

Apply to Be a Featured Artist

Would you like to be considered for one of our artist features? We love sharing the work from our friends around the world who create unique, beautiful and inspired art, regardless of creative medium. And just a reminder, your work does NOT have to be overtly faith-based to be considered. Interested? Just complete this application: https://forms.gle/vmtyk6wg3hSuUAhi9

Resources for Christian Artists

If you’re ready to grow as an artist in your faith, art and even business, then check out these affordable resources for artists just like you.