identity in Christ

ISSUE #040

There are moments when the Holy Spirit doesn’t whisper strategy, next steps, or clever ideas—He simply says, “Remember who you are.” That’s the heartbeat of this week’s issue. So many artists who love Jesus are still quietly wrestling with lies about their worth, their calling, and whether they’re “enough.” And those lies don’t just affect how we feel—they shape how we create, how we show up, and whether we move forward at all.

This week is an invitation to shut down that internal noise and come back into agreement with Heaven. Your creativity doesn’t flow from striving or self-improvement; it flows from identity. When you know who you are in Christ, faith becomes steadier, creativity becomes freer, and your calling becomes clearer. My prayer is that as you read this issue, something deep inside settles—and you begin creating again from truth, not pressure.

I’m cheering you on always!

In His love and creativity,
Matt Tommey

PS – If this message around identity and mind renewal resonates, and you’re realizing you want support walking this out more consistently, that’s exactly why I created The Foundations Course.

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Letting Go, Letting God Lead

Keith Chidzey’s creative journey is a beautiful reminder that thriving as an artist doesn’t come from striving harder—it comes from trusting deeper. From carving precious Huon pine to casting bronze, Keith shares how releasing pressure, embracing God’s provision, and allowing creativity to flow has brought freedom, confidence, and lasting impact through his art. This is a story of validation, trust, and learning to create from a place of peace rather than performance. READ MORE

CONNECT

Restored, Loved, and Home

“He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins.” — Ephesians 1:7 (NLT)

The enemy loves to keep artists stuck in shame—rehearsing old failures, past mistakes, or feelings of unworthiness. But the truth is this: in Christ, you are not partially forgiven or conditionally accepted. You’ve been fully restored. The Father didn’t put you on probation—He ran toward you, embraced you, and called you His child.

Prayer
Father, I thank You that I am fully restored in Christ. I receive Your love without conditions, without striving, and without shame. Help me create today from restoration, not condemnation. Amen.

Action Step
Take five minutes today and speak this aloud: “I am redeemed, reconciled, and fully restored as a child of God.” Let your spirit hear what Heaven already knows.

CLARIFY

Reset the Inner Narrative

You will always live, think, and create from the identity you believe on the inside. If your inner dialogue is filled with fear, comparison, or self-doubt, clarity will always feel just out of reach. This week, clarity doesn’t come from a better plan—it comes from replacing lies with truth.

Action Step
Write down one recurring lie that’s been shaping your thoughts (e.g., “I’m too late,” “I’m not talented enough,” “My art doesn’t matter”). Then intentionally replace it with a truth from God’s Word that directly contradicts it.

CREATE

Create From Who You Are, Not What You Fear

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)

You are not creating from lack. You’re not waiting on God to give you something He forgot. You are already equipped by the Spirit for everything you’ve been called to do. Creativity flows best when you stop trying to prove yourself and start partnering with who you already are in Christ.

Studio Action Step
Before you begin creating this week, pause and declare: “I am a Spirit-equipped new creation. I have everything I need to create today.” Then create from that place—no pressure, no performance.

CULTIVATE

Carry Light Into Every Interaction

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” — Matthew 5:14 (NLT)

Your identity isn’t just personal—it’s missional. You carry light. Your presence shifts atmospheres. Your art opens hearts in ways you may never fully see. Cultivating relationships isn’t about marketing harder; it’s about showing up aware of what you carry.

Weekly Outreach Step
Reach out to one person this week—online or in person—with genuine encouragement. No selling. No agenda. Just bring light into their world and trust God with the impact.

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: 5 Powerful Biblical Declarations Every Christian Artist Needs

LISTEN ON APPLEPODCAST

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

In this episode, I share five powerful, Scripture-based declarations that break cycles of defeat and anchor you in your true identity in Christ—restored, loved, equipped, victorious, and sent. This isn’t hype; it’s truth that transforms from the inside out.

Key Takeaway:
When your inner world aligns with Heaven, everything you create on the outside begins to change.

🎧 Listen and get the free 31 Days of Identity in Christ for Christian Artists resource mentioned in the episode.

TECH TIP FOR THRIVING

UncleMatt.ai as a Biblical Declarations Partner

Use UncleMatt.ai as a truth-reinforcement tool. Ask it to help you reword Scripture-based identity declarations in your own voice, or to generate short daily reminders rooted in God’s Word. This can be especially powerful for artists who struggle with scattered thoughts or negative self-talk.

And while you’re there, ask it anything you’d like to ask me, because it’s a closed ai system trained only on my Biblically-based mentoring for artists.

https://www.matttommeymentoring.com/unclematt

WORSHIP

This week’s worship song is a powerful declaration of identity and freedom in Christ. I Thank God reminds us that we are no longer defined by where we’ve been, what we’ve done, or what the enemy has said about us. In Christ, the old has gone, the new has come—and that truth changes everything about how we live, create, and show up in the world.

As artists, it’s easy to carry old labels, shame, or self-doubt into the studio without even realizing it. This song invites us to shake off those grave-clothes and step fully into who we already are as redeemed, restored children of God. Let it become more than a song this week—let it be a declaration you sing, pray, and create from.

Take a few moments to worship with this song before you create and remind your soul: I’m not who I was… I am alive in Christ.

FEATURED ARTIST: Keith Chidzey

IG: https://www.instagram.com/chidzey.art

For Keith Chidzey, being an artist isn’t a career choice—it’s an irresistible force woven into who he is. A trained painter and sculptor working with everything from precious Australian Huon pine to bronze, Keith lives and creates from a deep sense of trust in God’s provision and guidance.

That trust has been hard-won and beautifully refined.

Through his journey with the Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program, Keith experienced something many artists long for but rarely articulate: validation. Not hype. Not pressure. But confirmation that what he sensed stirring within him was real—and right.

“The validation of what I felt within, and the guidance and stimulating confidence to know I am doing the right thing in my creative journey, has been invaluable.”

Today, Keith describes his life as deeply blessed. God’s provision has freed him to create without striving—to truly let go and let God lead the process. That posture has allowed his work to breathe, evolve, and respond organically to the rhythms of life rather than rigid expectations.

Keith’s calling as an artist surfaced clearly more than thirty years ago at a church camp. On a whim, he brought along his charcoals and sketchpad, unsure if he’d even have time to draw.

“And the gates were opened.”

That moment marked the beginning of a lifelong unfolding—one that has carried him across materials, forms, and continents.

One particularly meaningful example of God using Keith’s work came through a commission for a gravesite memorial in Amsterdam. Though he never met the woman being honored, Keith created a sculptural piece based solely on the stories shared with him.

More than a decade later, her family and friends still reach out—thanking him for capturing her spirit so faithfully.

“That kind of response humbles me every time,” Keith reflects.

For years, Keith admits he wrestled with discipline—beating himself up for not creating the way he thought he should. Over time, grace replaced pressure. Rather than forcing productivity, he learned to give himself permission to respond to the ebb and flow of life, trusting God to guide the timing and direction.

That freedom has been transformational.

Keith carries a deep conviction about artists and identity in Christ:

“We are each unique creations of God, and our expression of that is different for each of us.”

He encourages artists to learn from one another, grow in skill, and stretch creatively—but never at the expense of the unique way God reveals Himself through each person.

At the same time, Keith holds a relentless curiosity about growth.

“Don’t ever think we’ve reached perfection,” he says. “He has even more in store for us—and that’s exciting!”

When it comes to business and promotion, Keith is refreshingly honest. It’s not his strength—and these days, he’s at peace with that. His focus remains on faithfulness to the craft, trust in God’s leading, and creating from a place of joy rather than obligation.

Keith’s story is a powerful reminder that thriving as an artist doesn’t always look loud or linear. Sometimes it looks like trust. Sometimes it looks like patience. And often, it looks like saying yes—again and again—to the quiet, unstoppable force God placed inside you.

And letting Him do the rest.

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.

Remember Who You Are In Christ as an Artist