God creates out of nothing - speaking life and beauty into being. And God designed humanity for creativity, making us in his image. We create out of something. We are designed to make and to bring order. God lit a spark of creative passion within each of us. We build with legos, craft a story with words, order chaos, mix ingredients into soup or a meal, plant a garden, paint a canvas, string sounds into songs, and more. What creative work stirs joy and a sense of satisfaction within you? To create is courageous. It is vulnerable.
A little over a week ago I took my art supplies to The Broad Street Grind where my art hangs on the walls for the months of November and December. I ordered chai tea and sat down at the table by the fireplace. Setting up a blank piece of clay-board, I laid out my colors and brushes. Snow flurries were falling outside the window behind me. And I got started.
I don't know about you, but I have experienced stages to the creative process. Some stages are more fun and energizing
than others. The other day I googled "stages to the creative process" and a long list of articles and references came up. I find the first stages energizing and hopeful as new ideas and a vision for what could be emerge and the final stages are often hopeful as completion draws near. But there is a stage in the messy middle that always feels difficult and intimidating.
Think about a creative endeavor you have tackled: perhaps a refinishing project, renovation or decluttering of a space, hosting a celebration, creating a work of art, etc. What is it like for you in the middle of the process, after you are fully invested? The middle stage is rarely attractive or organized. Perhaps, like I do for just about every project, you wonder if you will ever reach completion. I call this the "not sure I have what it takes" stage or Bette Lynn Dickinson named it the "ugly" stage at the Connections Conference.
In my last email I mentioned meeting Bette Dickinson at Connections 2024 in October where she was a speaker. She also completed a painting during the course of the conference. I was inspired by the vulnerability and courage of her offering, and it sparked a desire to create in a community space. I wondered about painting at the coffee shop where my artwork would hang through November and December. That was the inspiration for packing up my art supplies and setting up that snowy morning.
I spent two mornings painting at the coffee shop. By the second day my painting had moved into the "ugly" stage. Oy vey! It was intimidating to allow the process to be seen, but isn't the ugly stage a part of the story too?
Interestingly, a little girl and her dad were enjoying breakfast that day, a daddy date. A week later when I stopped in briefly, I saw them again. The father told me that when they got home the Saturday before his daughter had wanted to paint. What a joy to learn that watching me paint stirred a desire to create.
If you create, and everyone does, you have probably experienced the uncertain middle, "the ugly stage." What do you do when you feel overwhelmed, when the project doesn't look or feel good, and when you are not sure you can bring it to completion?
In a painting, this is where I need to persevere. Sometimes I need to think beyond my initial vision, and sometimes I need to push the limits of what feels safe. In a painting, I may need to use the bold color that feels like too much, or perhaps remove or add something significant. Or I may need to plod forward, one brush stroke at a time. For me, the creative journey is also a place for prayer and partnering with God... especially in this stage.
Sometimes our lives can feel like we are stuck in the middle, uncertain place. Especially if we are in a season of hardship or crisis. We may feel as though there is more ugliness and uncertainty than beauty in our lives. But our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer never gives up on you or me, and he has a clear vision for completion.
God is not overwhelmed when the ugly seems greater than the beautiful. God is working in our lives in this messy, middle place. God will indeed complete what he has begun (Philippians 1:6). Will I keep turning my heart and attention to the Master? Will I yield to his steady transforming work in my life?
Let us not become weary as we co-create our lives with God. The dark colors, bold colors, muddy neutrals, and the shimmering hues... are all part of the whole. God truly integrates it all through redemption, even the ugliness.God invites repentance where we have participated in the ugliness of sin and God brings healing where there are wounds. Those darker tones often highlight the shimmering beauty God is accomplishing. One day we will be complete (Phil 1:6).
And let us not become weary in partnering with him in our own creativity. We were designed for influence and creativity. We were also created for partnership with the Spirit of God.
Every time I paint, I am reminded of these truths. I can be courageous. I can be vulnerable. And I can persevere. God will partner with me as I create, and he is not finished creating and redeeming my life.
What strengthens your heart? What inspires you to take good risks and persevere?
Press on dear one, and look to the Master.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10
Christmas is drawing near
Are you looking for a unique gift for a loved one?
Stop by Broad Street Grind for small or large framed prints, devotional books or greeting cards?
December 14th
"Meet the Artist"
10am
Framed Prints, Books, Greeting Cards, and unframed prints
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