Lies Christian Creatives BelieveSample

Lie #5: I DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A PLAN

For the longest time I believed that being creative justified being sporadic, erratic, impulsive, and even a bit reckless. I’d have seasons of writing a lot and then some seasons where I just “didn’t feel like it.”

While ideas can come spontaneously and there’s an element of unpredictability with creativity; that doesn't mean we shouldn't have vision, goals, structure, accountability, and planning. In fact, a prudent creative will not just have a clear vision of what they want to do but will also break that down into achievable and timely goals, work diligently towards these goals, and be committed to their craft.

When Bezalel was appointed to work on the tabernacle, he wasn’t winging it. He wasn’t making his way through it with no end goal in mind. He was given a clear blueprint, and he had a vision in mind of what needed to be done. It wasn’t a project he took on that just carried on for years with no end in sight. He stuck to timelines and delivered great quality within the time-frame allotted to him.

Sometimes we struggle to work with structure, accountability, deadlines, and goals. We feel they restrict our creativity, when in fact they help us be responsible with our gift. The enemy wants you to believe that you don’t need to plan what to do with your gift. He wants you to procrastinate with it. He knows that focused commitment towards your gift will reap great reward and bear much fruit so perhaps it’s easier for him if you believe you don’t need to have that.

If you’ve been struggling to be disciplined and committed to your art, it’s time to have a concrete plan or a vision for what you want to do. Another thing that can help is finding accountability or a community that you can trust to hold you answerable.

Let’s Pray Together:

Lord, I’ve struggled to stay focused and committed to using my gift. I struggle to have a vision and goals. Please help me remember always that everything I do, I do it unto You. Help me, Holy Spirit, to be a diligent and responsible creative as I surrender myself to You. In Jesus name, Amen.

A Creative Prompt:

I encourage you to do this today:

Create a vision board. What’s your 5 year plan? What do you aim to produce, create, or build in the next 5 years? Write down a vision statement and then break that down into goals. Get creative with it. Get out your stickers, markers, pens, spray paints—whatever your creative expression is—and make a board that inspires you and reminds you of your vision and purpose. Share this vision board with someone who can hold you accountable.