Do Not Use Your Gift for Evil
It is really, really important that we know what it looks like to “use our gifts for evil” (hint: it doesn’t always involve maniacal laughter and mustache twirling in dark shadows of an evil lair). Then we know when to repent and how to course correct.
Give Your Gifts to the Lord
Here’s a question for you, Christian creative: have you ever given your gifts back to the Lord as an offering?
The Godly Override, Part 1: Shift Your Gift
The next two ECC articles are going to be linked under a single concept: that of the Godly Override.
What the heck is that?!
It’s a multi-purpose term I’ve developed over the years to describe situations where we humans make diligent plans in one direction, we coordinate our lives and our careers around this or that thing…and then God steps in and goes ‘here, let’s do something different’.
Do Not Idolize Your Gifts
Your gifts are amazing. Your ability to draw, to write, to tell stories, to bake, to craft, to dance, to make music, to solve complex mathematical problems, see scientific solutions, or whatever other, creative gift God has given you, is amazing. That is a true fact, because God is a good and diligent God to us and to our purpose in His Kingdom. And you should acknowledge that fact; acknowledge that your gifts are spectacular, just like the God who gave them to you.
Now, this kind of confidence comes with a very big warning: do not idolize your gifts.
It’s Important to Nurture Your Gift(s)
Sometimes it’s easier to say “I have a talent in this, but it’s just a hobby” or “I wish I had more time to develop this skill, but I am so busy” than it is to actually go do the thing. It’s easier to let the creativity slide than it is to build that creative skill that God has given us. Sometimes we even like to brag “Ah, yes, I have this creative talent” without actually ever exercising it or thinking about it except when we’re trying to show off.
Finding Your Gift
For some people it is easy. For others, there is a calling to create, but no clue where to even begin. For others, they have been pursuing various creative avenues, but each and every one of them has reached a dead-end. They know they are called to create, but exactly what their creative gift (whether talent or skill) feels like its trying to hide.
The Tabernacle
Choosing just a few verses for this article was difficult because the Tabernacle of the Old Testament is not a tiny project. God gives incredibly clear and specific instructions on its entire design, from the protective, outer badger skins to the intricate golden lampstands. Each and every piece of this project glorifies God in some way or another through its design, function, or purpose. And it is a fantastic thing to analyze as Christian creatives!
What Do We Mean By ‘Gifts from God’?
As stated previously, this season of ECC is going to focus on the idea of gifts from God. However, there is one little piece of clarification that needs to be made before continuing: these are not spiritual gifts. The New Testament is filled with verses on spiritual gifts, such as kindness, patience, prophecy, mercy, etc., which are not what we are going to be discussing during this blog series.
Encouraging Christian Creatives, Season 2: Gifts and Talents
Hello, dear reader!
Welcome to the second season of Encouraging the Christian Creative! I am so excited to dive into this next season and pray that God will be glorified in it!