And the Creative Shares Begin...
Check out our first artist highlight!
Featured Artist: Hayley Rawnsley
I am so excited to feature one of my new favorite artists/writers on Substack. Hayley Rawnsley is one of the first people I came across when I started here. I have been a subscriber of hers and have followed along as she has done 100 days of Daily Desert. Each day for 100 days, she shared a piece of art and a devotional to go with it. Below is one of the amazing pieces from the series called “Joy From Nowhere.”
I am asking each artist to share some creative words of wisdom with their art, and this is from Hayley.
I want to encourage my fellow faithful creatives to see their creativity as a means of communion with their Creator. So often, we’re told to do something great with our gifts, and we set off in search of that glorious purpose. We fear that if we miss it, we’ll squander our talents and disappoint the Lord. I want to remind you that you haven’t missed your purpose. It may be true that God has big and wonderful plans to use your creativity to renew the world, but he never intends for it to be at the expense of that space of communion with him. He designed you to experience his heart through creativity, to witness the joy and freedom of his Spirit coursing through you as you create. Focus on discovering that connection with Jesus in whatever you create. I believe this kind of creative abiding produces art that will transform the world.
Hayley’s devotionals are available to read and see on her Substack! I highly recommend it! And she has just started a podcast, Abiding Creatives.
From my desk:
Oh, I wish I could go back and give my younger self advice. Sometimes it is easier to look back and see things you wish you had known. If I could, it would sound something like this:
Take time to keep doing what thrills your heart. Don’t let those paints dry up. Order refills for the pens you love. Keep going to places that make you want to paint them. Just do it.
Yes, your life is busier than you ever dreamed possible. The kids are non-stop, and there really is so much to do. But sister, we prioritize what we value. Are you valuing yourself? (And if you aren’t, what is that teaching your kids?)
Snatch those little moments in the gaps, even if it it just 10 min. Lay your supplies where you can reach them and permit yourself to use them at least once a day. You only need a few minutes to create. (You may even think of other ways to create during the gap times.)
Talk to your kids about your creativity and why it is important. Ask them what they like to create. And then encourage them to create what they love while you are too.
Once every so often, make a plan ahead of time, get a sitter (or trade time with another mom), and just create for a longer period. Not with pressure to perform or produce. Just make space to have fun making whatever your heart desires.
Don’t be scared to try new creative ideas. Be adventurous and brave. Life is worth exploring through creativity.
Know that everything you create isn’t meant to be a masterpiece. And even if no one else ever sees what you create, it matters. Be kind to you. Watch your self-talk about your creating and make sure you aren’t saying anything to yourself that God wouldn’t also say to you.
You will be glad you showed up and created. You will. Your heart will rejoice. You will be proud of yourself.
Your work can touch the hearts of other people even if you don’t think it is good. I have seen homemade cards made out of construction paper and crayons bring grown people to tears. People love to know someone is thinking about them.
We GET TO create WITH the Creator. He meets us in those spaces.
It is true, it is not always easy. But how often do the things that matter come easily? The enemy doesn’t want us creating with our good Father because when we do, His DNA seeps through our work, and that is why something very simple can touch hearts.
I’m not sure where you are in your creative journey, but my prayer is that each one of us would choose to keep creating!
Father, thank you so much that you invite us to create with you. What a gift. May we not take that gift for granted? Help us ot continue to prioritize creating because it matters. Light a fire in us that can’t be extinguished. As we choose to create, may your joy overflow from us into the work we are making. May our songs, poems, and stories be filled with your stories. May our paintings, meals, gardens, cards, videos, collages, and photographs re-present you to this dark and weary world. Thank you that we get to co-labor with you! Amen
Are you an artist/creator and/or writer interested in being featured?
Hit reply to this email and let me know you are interested. (Or you can send me a message in my Substack chat.) I would love to send you the information. It is my heart to develop a community of creatives where we encourage each other.