Reimagining Your Creative Life: A Five-Day YouVersion Plan by Sho BarakaSample

Blessing or Manipulation?

Creatives—and those who spend their lives implementing creative solutions—have the power to illuminate ideas and draw others’ eyes to particular products. We can use our gifts for blessing or manipulation. We can be chiefs that obstruct the view of our tribes, or we can lead in a way that reminds others of the grace and authority of Yahweh.

There is nothing more intoxicating than the applause and praise of humans. It’s a high that can last a lifetime. Many of us are in our careers because someone told us that we were good and we believed that person. Affirmation is powerful. However, it can also be a curse. The unintended consequence of being good in your work is that it draws people to adore you. How you handle that affection is of paramount importance. Either you can appreciate it and be sober-minded, or you can be preoccupied living for the approval of people. Let’s not paint false images that distract viewers from the true masterpiece.

To be great in our work is to be humble. Romans 12:3 gives a reason. We must constantly remind ourselves that we can go from Eden’s honest orphans to thieves who desire to steal the show. Humility is crucial. Just as we don’t want to be idols that obstruct others’ view of God, we don’t want the things we do to eclipse the God for whom we do them.

We can easily overestimate our role in the kingdom. We accept our place as tools being used; then we gradually try to become the hand that uses the tools.

When we don’t control our lives and work, they control us. When we are no longer being transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2), we become worshippers of our work. Even when our work doesn’t carry an overt message, it still has a purpose.

In the past, I used the maxim “Art for art’s sake.” I typically meant that art shouldn’t be tethered to a purpose. My view has changed. Our art may not be tethered to an outcome, but it always has a purpose whether we recognize it or not. We are worshipping through our creation. We are speaking a fundamental truth about our nature and the nature of elements we use. We are demonstrating the dominion that was given to us by God.

Our creativity is not chaotic and baseless. It conveys truth about the world God designed. Let’s not spurn the Giver for the gifts that he gives.

What is a practical way you could cultivate greater humility in your work or creative life?