“We are made in the image of the First Entrepreneur; thus, when we follow his call to create businesses, nonprofits, art, music, books, and other products, we are not just doing something good for the world, we are doing something God-like. This is important because it validates the deep desire in our souls to create.” Jordan Raynor, Called to Create
I spent the weekend doing taxes. Paying bills. Doing all the UNFUN things about life. (unless you’re a CPA. 😊) I am NOT a math person. Numbers are hard. I’d have rather cleaned the bathroom.(Thankfully, hubs does that in my house! Yay for everyday heroes!)
By the end of the weekend I was a dry husk of energy, ready to flop on the sofa and watch my writing partner, Rachel Hauck’s, movie on Hallmark (Once Upon a Prince).
Taxes always make me take a look at the COST of my creativity. Thankfully, now my creativity pays for itself, but in the early years…well, if you’re not getting paid, you can wonder…why am I trying so hard? (sometimes, even if you ARE getting paid!) Why am I spending hours writing a book, or painting a picture, creating a podcast or a blog, trying to scratch out something of meaning and financial success?
And it’s not just the cost of our finances, is it? It’s time you could be spending with others. It’s energy to do other things. Sometimes, it’s even relationships—people who don’t understand WHY you’re devoting so much time to a ‘hobby’ or worse, a ‘dream.’
About six times a year at Novel.Academy we have an ‘inspirational’ peptalk for our regular Thursday night class. Just because, well, writing is hard. And we need to be encouraged. Last year we studied The Story of With: A Better Way to Live, Love, & Create, by Allen Arnold.
This year we’re in the book Called to Create: A Biblical Invitation to Create, Innovate, and Risk by Jordan Raynor. It’s brimming with nuggets of truth about being a creator, nuggets of golden value that remind us why we do these things.
I handed out a list of these nuggets we’ve compiled so far in last Thursday’s class, but felt the nudge from the Lord today to pass it on to you.
Here are the truths about your writing life today.
- God was the first entrepreneur
- We are doing something “God Like” when we create…something good for the world
- Our job is to point to the original (like God did with US)
- We find joy by reflecting his character. (Don’t you love it when your characters are redeemed??)
- ALL types of work can be a calling from God
- It’s okay if we fail!
- Our motives for creation are just as important as WHAT we create.
- We don’t create to create a name for ourselves…but we are known to make God known.
- We don’t have to prove that WE are valuable, or our life is meaningful…that has already happened for us!
- Don’t place your identity in your name…but the ONE in whose name you are called to create.
- Your expectations will crush you if they are set on your shoulders.
- God appears to have created the world and humankind for two primary reasons: to reveal his character and to love others.
- The Gospel transforms everything we do, including what we make.
- The things we choose to create matter. Create products that reveal God’s character.
- We must strive for excellence in everything we do.
- Put people over profit!
- Your work is valuable to God.
- There is a place for Hustle. Then Trust.
- We can leave our work in God’s Hands and REST.
- He will work out the ending, the impact and the success.
- Stay connected to God, His word and other believers to keep your perspective and focus.
God is not a joker. He doesn’t call us to something only to pull it away from us and laugh. There is a reason for your efforts—and if you haven’t been changed by the journey, you’ve missed the point.
Your story matters. Both the one you’re writing and the one you’re living.
Have a fabulous writing week. Go! Write something brilliant!
Susie May
P.S. We opened Deep Woods Writing Camp last week and we have 3 spaces left. I’d love to spend a week with you diving deep into your story with personalized, individual help. Camp is located in beautiful northern MN, at my writing cabin, with plenty of fresh air, inspirational views and places to write. Join us for a week that will encourage, equip and empower your writing! Click HERE for more details.