So, have you talked yourself out of your art yet? Have you found enough reasons why you just don’t have what it takes? Are you still feeling guilty for having a passion that may not have a job description? Do you feel like you’re cheating a little bit if you get to actually do what you love?
What if you began to see your art as something other than your idea? What if it was bigger, more necessary than just a dream? What if you taking the next baby step toward creativity is actually you stepping into a bigger story? Art is a gift wrapped up in a box of grace straight from the hand of God. Stop asking questions about it. Stop trying to talk your way out of it. Receive the gift, say thank you, and begin to live like you believe it’s true.
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
Romans 12:6-8
What is your gift according to the grace given to you? Name it in the comments – I won’t tell anyone, I promise.
THANK YOU EMILY
HUGS FROM MY HEART
“art is a grift wrapped up in a box of grace straight from the hand of god”
that is a beautiful statement and i wholeheartedly agree!!! i feel so inspired to create when i read your posts!!!
we must meet some day:)))
melissa´s last [type] ..-in the begining was a small country church-
Beautiful post! Sometimes I think it is hard to “receive your gift” especially when you don’t think you are really that good at something and are just doing it to stay close with friends and family that live far away. I used to think my husband just told me I have a gift for writing and for seeing unique things behind a camera becaue he loves me. Maybe its time to “receive” and thank God for my gift.
I really enjoy your blog.
Thank you for sharing your inspirations!
Marianne´s last [type] ..Top Ten Things I Love about My New Home
I love your blog!! Very encouraging!! I know I have not used my gift to fullest yet! I have always talked myself out of it. I am not real sure what or how I am supposed to use it, but I am praying and seeking diligently because of your blog! I have always had a knack for decorating and homemaking in general! I know this is a gift from God!
noelle´s last [type] ..Happy Easter!
I have a couple that stick out, I guess. People tell me over and over again that I am an encourager. So, the gift of encouragement.
And, though it’s a bit rough around the edges, the gift of writing. I really want to learn to shape it a bit better and some people have recommended the book “Bird by Bird” by Anne Lamott, but it is not helping me. To me, it is not encouraging, It’s not inspiring. It’s barely helpful.
Do you have any recommendations?
Christin´s last [type] ..As My Heart Grows Faint
Hey Miss Christin!
I’m a writer–my gift is definitely from God, but I still have to work to develop it! Honestly, I don’t recommend any book to help you learn how to write. The best way to learn is to get yourself writing; just write! Try out everything: poetry, fiction, memior, whatever strikes you. The key is to find some good writers to review your work with you (you can always email me: liveitouteveryday[at]comcast.net). A good reviewer will help you develop your technique, but let you form your own style (too many reviewers force their style onto people). Then you start rewriting. It’s in the rewrite that I learned and grew the most.
Becky
Becky W.´s last [type] ..Big Talk
My passion is writing and my gift is empathy. I hope this series becomes book #3 for you. You’ve been such an encouragement to me – and many others, I’m sure, since you started it.
Kristy K´s last [type] ..Great Friday
What a great encouragement for today! Thank you for making me smile before even having that first cup of coffee (not an easy feat).
Have a blessed day!
Shannon´s last [type] ..This is for Us
Exodus 36 “Then Moses called Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, everyone whose heart was stirred, to come and do the work.” My first career was architectural designer and I remember clinging to this verse as a young college student, wanting so much for the art to be a gift that could be received and offered back. For some reason, it’s so hard to feel like creativity is a gift and so much easier to feel guilty — like there are more important things in life. Though seeing it written in words, that seems silly and non-sensical.
Thanks for the reminder again this morning.
shelley.´s last [type] ..a branch of a faithful tree
What if my gift is baking? Can it be baking? Or perhaps loving. I know love is a gift. Perhaps I love with baking.
Still exploring this one!
Mariah´s last [type] ..Naming Privileges and Ugly Kids
Yes!!!!
It’s taken years to see it, but my medium is~my life. My art is creating beauty in the moments around me.
This is such an inspiring post. I always feel guilty for doing what I love…God is really teaching me alot in this area of art and passion and creativity.My gift according to the “grace given to me” looks so much different that just doing what I think I need to do…
Charissa Steyn´s last [type] ..I dont like airplanes
teaching… I felt embarrassed about it for a while, but God is showing me to embrace it and let Himself be glorified through it. Your posts this year have been a tremendous encouragement to me!
Mary Beth´s last [type] ..the power of the cross
I’m kinda embarrassed to admit this, but I’m still not quite sure what my gift is. After 40 years of living I’m still not sure. I’ve got some dreams, some desires, but do those equate to my gift? I’m working on getting it figured out.
Jamie @ Six Bricks High´s last [type] ..At a Loss for Words
I’ve really enjoyed all of your posts lately on art. I do think you should pursue it in book form. It’s really beginning to remind me of Madeline L’Engle’s “Walking on Water”, and that is a huge compliment as I love her work (Please read that book if you haven’t!). Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about my gifts, and how to use them well, and not let them loose strength while mothering my young kids (who are amazing gifts to me in themselves). Some talents are easier than others to maintain during this season. I’m one of those people who does a little bit of everything, so sometimes it’s hard to know where to start, so sometimes I just dream about starting. But I think I might need to take the next step in several areas…thanks for your words.
Sometimes I think…just do it..art doesn’t even have to be labelled art..just express..just be creative..just connect with God and with other people…just do!
Naturally Carol´s last [type] ..Shhh! Dont Let Mum Know!
Love this: art is gift-wrapped grace. The Lord’s gift to us, the grace, accepted, flowing through us and beyond us to bless others, even just with baby steps. You help me see that making art is not self-focused chore, but a way of blessing others, reaching out to them, helping them find their way through this muddled life. Your words are an encouraging gift to your readers, thank you!
Maureen´s last [type] ..Two More Short Stories
My main spiritual gift is exhortation. The cool thing . . . when we use our gift(s) it brings us great joy. And when eveyone uses their gifts . . . the Body of Christ has everything it needs.
I am 58 and a mentor helped me understand my spiritual gifting when I was in college (ages ago), and it has really marked the decisions I have made in my life . . . what I say yes, to and what I say no to.
The best way to learn your gift . . . is try different things and see what brings you and other joy . . . then bingo . . . you have found it.
Joy . . . this is what you are missing, when you don’t use your gifts.
Fondly,
Glenda
ps. this note is definitly written by an exhorter . . . someone who want to help others find truth and give them the steps to do it.
Glenda Childers´s last [type] ..My experience with Royal Weddings
I may have just found my gift…after all these years! My passion and and my gift is loving and giving of my time to all the *littles* in my family. Grands, nieces, nephews. It is my privilege to give their parents a break and spend time with them. It is my privilege to buy their shoes and clothes. And it is my privilege to love them unconditionally. What a gift the Lord has given me. I accept it. Thank you Lord.
angela´s last [type] ..THE Wedding
Ouch! Ouch! Stepping all over my toes Emily! Isn’t it ridiculous that a woman in her sixth decade of life still wonders what exactly her gift is? My friends would say encouragement is one of them. I dream of writing. It is time to start doing – I know it is.
Linda´s last [type] ..An Unseen Gift
A beautiful post of permission to pursue art in whatever form it comes to each of us.
My gift: I am a writer, a teacher, and an encourager.
Thanks for the opportunity to tell myself that once again because sometimes I forget that it’s okay to long to do those things. Your post is such a confirmation to what the Lord is speaking to my heart lately.
Bonita´s last [type] ..Your Journal- Your Friend
You speak in dares, girl. I want to ignore you. I know better.
I have the hard gifts. The ones people don’t really want. The seeing and the speaking about what I see.
Sometimes, invisible seems better.
Kelly Sauer´s last [type] ..Personal And Speaking of Changes…
Five years ago I started writing; I just started…and I didn’t even know why…I’d never written anything creatively in my life up until that point. I know I’ve probably said this here before, but by the grace of God, I wrote myself right toward faith. After more than two decades of disbelief, I began to believe in God…and I met Him through the process of writing — in grappling and wrestling with faith on the page. It was (is) truly nothing short of a miracle. So Emily, when you say, ” taking the next baby step toward creativity is actually you stepping into a bigger story,” I say AMEN!
Great post, sister!
Michelle DeRusha@Graceful´s last [type] ..Art Schmart
You have said this to me before and it has stuck with me. “What if doing what we love–following that dream–actually means we are obeying God?” I just love that. Hugs to you!
Lara´s last [type] ..uncovering the smile when life gets tense
I agree with Sarah above – I would love to read all these posts on art as a daily devotional!
OK – this is a deep breath in for me – I want to be an athlete. I think I am an athlete inside (and even called to be one!), but living as an athlete with two young kids is leaving me feeling defeated. I know I am an artist. But when your art is also your lifestyle it’s so tricky to live it 24/7 and not shirk from it or be afraid a lot.
I am continually challenged by what you are writing. Sometimes I even have to take a step back and not read for a couple weeks (but I do catch up!) just because it hits so deep and so close to home. Thank you for that. It’s a gift.
m l´s last [type] ..A Month For Miracles
Absolutely resonating with me. Labeling our art, our passion and actually living them out=two different things. Thanks for the great reminder, Emily.
Joyous´s last [type] ..On Procrastination
bringing beauty into the midst of great darkness and grief…fitting for the events of yesterday in my city.
adornedlife´s last [type] ..in the midst
This is a really beautiful post. I know what I love and what I feel God’s given me as a gift, but I just feel so beaten up by life that it seems impossible to do it. I was beginning to think that maybe I didn’t have anything to offer God or others around me. Thanks for your words of encouragement.
Kim´s last [type] ..Mini Meatloaf The Best Recipe I’ve Ever Made
I believe that I have the gift of encouragement and I hope that it comes out in my writing, a passion of mine, but a gift I am still developing!
Barbie´s last [type] ..5 Minutes For Faith & God’s Comforting Embrace
Wow. I wish I had a good answer for you. My gift…something to do with reaching out to others. Exhortation probably. But how my art fits into that I’m still discovering.
Claygirlsings´s last [type] ..Bitten by the Craft Bug- Jewelry Holder redux
Hmm…I’m still trying to figure out what my gift is. I really love photography, and I think I’m pretty good at it, but I’m not sure if it’s my actual God given gift?
Tay, we are thinking very similar things!
I definitely think that being given the gift of ‘seeing’ in a different way, because of my love of photography, has been a blessing for a long time. But I fear I am not doing what I ought to be able to do with my photographic gift.
And it’s scary…
All I know is, I opened up a Bible to read at lunch. It is a daily read Bible, with dates. I turned to today’s date and it was Ruth 1:1 … the MIL/DIL thing again. Made me smile …
Writing, definitely writing. It’s a gift that’s slowly been growing and evovling over the years. I’m still not sure how God will use it in the future. Until then I’ll just keep at it I suppose:)
Meg´s last [type] ..A Cup of Tea
I just found your blog…it’s beautiful! My gifts are teaching and speaking(public speaking),i also enjoy writing. I just this year am (with the help of encouraging friends) getting a speaking ministry started! My biggest thing is fear of man~why when God is so much bigger!
Wow. I am blown away by your posts on this particular topic every single time. I stumbled upon your blog a few weeks ago from a home decor blog (possibly your sister??) I know it wasn’t an accident. I read your posts and something resonates deep inside me. I wake up the next day and I still think about what you wrote the previous time. I know God has given me particular gifts, I want so badly to put pen to page and use those gifts. But I make up all kinds of excuses and bury myself in the daily to-do’s of raising 3 children. There it is, my somewhat public confession that I am a closet wannabe writer. Thank you for sharing your gift with all of us. Fantastic!
I want to say that my gift is to write. It is certainly an act of obedience. But many days it’s so hard to do, it doesn’t feel like a gift, but a burden. I hope the gift will grow out of obedience.
My gift is loving. I totally love the people I am around. No matter what they have done in the past. I think that is an amazing gift. I also love to write, to take pictures and to paint. The things around me remind me of the love of my Heavenly Father and I want to share those things with others. Loved this thought today. yOu are amazing.
Pattyann´s last [type] ..Wordless Wednesday nearly – Happy Birthday Josh!
“What is your gift according to the grace given to you?” – How do I know?
I meant that as more like “How can I learn what my gift is?”
It’s a great question, Maria. But I have to tell you – I just clicked over to your site and it looks like you have gifts oozing from every pore of your being! Amazing work!
To learn what your gift is though? If you think you don’t know? I think you ask. I think you live life in a passionate way. I think you focus less on figuring it out and give yourself permission to trust your gut as you trust the Lord. Ask me again tomorrow, I might say something different!
emily freeman´s last [type] ..the grace of art
Focusing less on figuring it out very well could be some solid advice. I can see myself leaning too much on the search. I’ve been doing a lot of asking lately, but I guess I should realize that answering may not happen right away, and not to use that as an excuse to stand still. I’ve taped up on my window an earlier post of yours “10 things that keep us from showing up” – maybe I should listen and get out of my own head.
Thanks for encouragement!
“Receive the gift, say thank you..”
these words struck me. and i sat staring at them for several minutes~ i think the fear, the hesitancy within me is i struggle with some false mindsets about God’s will. is it something that comes to us, or do we go after it? does that make sense?
i was raised in a organization that taught if you simply honored God then things would eventually all fall into place as they should and basically be plopped in your lap. that someday someone would show up at your door with a, “oh, we’ve heard of the amazing person you are.. come share your art with the world!” of course, not really communicated in those exact words. but yeah. that was kinda the jest.
as the years slip by and i wonder.. how does God want me to use these gifts. what is His purpose. what is the procedure i’m supposed to follow?? i mean, just because someone can sing, does that mean they’re to be singer? or because i love writing that i’m to write a book?
so… i wait. and do NOTHING! but your series on art has shown me that the only thing truly stopping me from pursuing my passions is this mindset of His will from my past. which of course does hold truth, i know… that if something is truly His will He can work it out. and if not, the door will slam.
but perhaps.. i ask myself.. perhaps His will isn’t some magical writing in the sky like we think. or doors swung wide open, so obvious we’re to walk through. perhaps if something is “too easy” it’s not His will.
perhaps the fact that He’s simply gifted us and given us these desires is already His will being known. and putting the skin and legs and hands on it is our part…
so.. just thinking out loud here. wondering if you have any further thoughts. or others? and hopefully my own didn’t come across too muddled!
you’re such an inspiration, emily. and i’m blessed by your ministry of words and encouragement.
grace.to.be´s last [type] ..Thursday- April 28- 2011
Saying ‘thank you ‘ makes the gift real.
Leslie´s last [type] ..Hard Love
Wow! Just when I think you can’t say anything more right on about art, you do!!! This is sooo good! And practical.
Well done, faithful one!
Xo,
Linsey
LLH Designs´s last [type] ..Food Confessions
My gift is scattering seeds of encouragement. Often it’s simply by pointing out the obvious, but often overlooked gift others have been lovingly wired with, by our Creator. I love to watch the aha look appear first on their face and then take root in their heart and begin to blossom.
I’m 64 and still scratching my head!
Shirley´s last [type] ..new paints…
your question made me cry. . .
Su@TheIntentionalHome´s last [type] ..Intentional Art
thank you, Emily. The Lord used you today to encourage me.
Dear Emily,
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I have been struggling for a very long time with the feeling that I was not enough.
That my gifts of encouraging, loving, compassion were supposed to be something bigger. How dare I believe that I was special and unique because of these gifts God has so generously graced my heart and soul with. So again, thank you.
From,
A loving, compassionate woman!!!
I am a writer.
Those words scare me. To me, it’s safer to say, ‘I’ve dreamed of being a writer since third grade.’
But on the verge of first steps, your words move me.
Thank you for them.
Thelma