Being a Christian Creative… the struggle is real!
Are art business coaches and influencers telling you lies?
God told me something a lot more hope-filled today! If you are struggling as a creative Christian business owner, you really need to hear this, too!
To be honest, I sometimes struggle with this gig.
I've often said that I don't do this for the money, but I need money to keep doing it. Sometimes I get far too focused on this and forget 1. God will provide and 2. the REAL blessings and abundance that comes from what I do.
I feel ashamed to say that a couple of times over the weekend, I complained in conversations that often people ask me to do my job for free. There is definitely a preconception that the work that Creatives do is so much fun that they don't need to be paid. The truth is, the ‘fun’ creative part of my practice is only about ⅓ of what I do. There are a lot of stinky, tiresome jobs that come with running an art business and there are a lot of expenses. And it's easy to get bogged down in this and let it bring me down. The art world is always ‘encouraging’ artists by saying that we shouldn't have a ‘scarcity’ mindset. That if we change our mindset to one of abundance than we can manifest 6 figure sums and acquire everything that we want out of our business. Although I'm all for a positive attitude, I don't believe this is the right way to look at things, either.
Today the Holy Spirit spoke to me about this whole situation in a very convicting way.
“I have abundant life for you, but it doesn't look like the world's view of abundance.”
What the world's abundance looks like:
Plenty of income and a happy accountant.
A huge social media following.
Great engagement on social media
Viral reels
Offers for new licensing deals coming out of my ears.
What God's abundance for my art business looks like:
A beautiful, thought-provoking conversation that was started from my art, but goes much deeper than that.
A lovely, sweet community of followers uplifting and encouraging each other in the comments of my posts.
A deeper appreciation for creation and the many blessings and people around us.
Having the opportunity to follow the Holy Spirit's leading when He prompts you to slip a little extra into an order- not necessarily knowing why or what will come from it but trusting that he will bring something wonderful through it.
Bringing my children along in this art journey and teaching them how they can glorify God and bless others through the gifts that he's given us.
Being able to give free art to amazing charity events and sharing God's love to those who need it through gifts of my art and time. (Yes, working for free really is so much more rewarding than working for money.)
The buzz that comes not from creating a perfect artwork, but working alongside God, knowing that I have been made in his image as a creative being!
The Holy Spirit led me to Psalm 115 this morning-
Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
They have mouths, but do not speak;
eyes, but do not see.
They have ears, but do not hear;
noses, but do not smell.
They have hands, but do not feel;
feet, but do not walk;
and they do not make a sound in their throat.
Those who make them become like them;
so do all who trust in them…
…The Lord has remembered us; he will bless us…
When I listen to what the majority of art business influencers are telling me to do, am I making art my idol instead of simply glorifying God? Am I not using the opportunity to use my mouth, eyes, ears as well as my brushstrokes because I'm so caught up in the result? The nations shouldn't have a reason to say “Where is God" because he is clearly in every little connection and beautiful blessing that comes from my art practice.
Will I still struggle finding the balance between trusting God and finding joy in His abundance, whilst still plugging my business so that I can serve you in this way? Will I still struggle with how to best use my time? What things to say yes to and when to know that I'm not being a good steward of my time?
Yes- it will probably be a daily thing that I need to keep working on! But when I was reviewing my branding at the start of the year (colours, fonts, vibe I wanted to focus on), I knew without a shadow of a doubt that for 2025 I wanted to centre my business around this verse from Matthew 6:33- Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added on to you. I think that's a pretty good place to start!