David Lee Martin

There are strange things on this earth, but one of the most peculiar are perpetual pregnancies.

So many creative people with ideas that have been stuck in the womb for decades. Every so often they still feel a kick but have learned the art of quiet resignation and shake off the prod.

Here are four short words for you:

“Quench not the Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19 KJV)

Dear friend, creative ideas are like seeds. They land in the heart from Heaven and take on a life of their own. Given time and watered with prayer they grow and take form, invisible at first, but as real as real can be.

Like our Father, we bring things forth from nothing. Just a thought, an inspiration, a fleeting notion of possibilities not yet realised.

Your job as an author and co-creator is to carry that babe to full term and bring it to birth.

God-planted notions are designed to move from the womb to the world!

Do you have ideas that are kicking on the inside?

Things planted that long to see the light of day?

Maybe a book? A course? A journal or a blog? A poem, a product, a teaching, a truth that needs to be shared?

Don’t let your genius die in the womb. Carefully cultivate the necessary mindset, environment, confidence and skills to bring your ideas to kicking and screaming life!

The romanticised view of the troubled artist or the solitary writer is overrated.

It makes for a great drama, but let’s face it, who needs more drama?

Better to be connected to others who have learned to cheer.

I’m sure you’ve watched marathons on TV. The crowds line the sidewalk urging the runners to take their next courageous step.

As Christian creatives, we need that.

Having a merry band of believers to bolster your believing when the going gets tough is paramount.

I’ve walked this creative writing road for decades now. I’ve developed an online Bible School, built a fabulous publishing business, and crafted numerous courses and resources for creatives to step up, step out, and make a difference. Yet, I still need brothers and sisters alongside me to remind me who I am.

That’s what inspired the Unlocking Your God Given Genius Adventure. I want every day to remember who I am, and remind others that they are remarkable, and that God does indeed have a plan for their lives.

The world will do all it can to put you in a can and close the lid.

Christ has come to open the can, crush it, and crown you with His kindness.

And with that crown of sonship comes fresh hope. Fresh faith. A new perspective that awakens you to your potential.

And the best way I’ve found to step into that potential is to encourage someone else and help them see what’s possible if they commit to keep Christ at the centre of their creative work.

I write a lot.

And read.

Books are my brain food of choice. Mostly non-fiction.

With a book, I can choose my own pace. Paint my own picture. Chew over and choose where to dip. I can skim or park on a paragraph that penetrates, soaking in a new way of seeing.

It’s like looking at the world through someone else’s eyes.

There’s a connection with words on paper that doesn’t translate to other mediums. You climb inside someone else’s head, knowing they carefully chose the words to place on the page.

It’s a conversation of sorts.

Video talks at you. Books talk with you.

When someone writes, they consider their words. They examine their message to make it as clear as possible. There’s no beating the bush or running down rabbit trails. The “ums” and “errs” are edited out and you just get the meat.

At least, that’s what I look for in a good book. No fluff. Just raw heart boiled to the bone.

And that’s also how I like to write.

How about you?

What medium do you connect with to expand your horizons?

It has become ever more my conviction that the way to live well is to choose not chase.

Paul the apostle prayed for the Philippians that befits our 21st century need.

Read it in full, but focus on the “so”.

So statements are so important.

A so statement reveals the outcome.

“And this I pray: that your love may abound yet more and more and extend to its fullest development in knowledge and all keen insight [that your love may display itself in greater depth of acquaintance and more comprehensive discernment]…

So

…that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value [recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences], and that you may be untainted and pure and unerring and blameless [so that with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied, you may approach] the day of Christ [not stumbling nor causing others to stumble].” (Philippians 1:9–10 AMP)

Paul prayed that their love, knowledge, and insight would abound, with the intent that they would see and learn to prize what is of real value.

There are a lot of cheap, empty cul-de-sacs you can chase.

Ambitions born in desperation that lead you down a merry go round… and round… and round.

Or there’s a path of peace that leads to prosperity of soul.

Finding that pathway comes as we focus on learning to love and care for others. And with it will come a deeper acquaintance with God and His ways, knowledge of His precise purposes befitting your personality, and keen insight into how to use your gifts to benefit the world.

Keen “in sight” is seeing inwardly the things that God is saying.

So…

Listen.

Carefully and consistently.

Shut out the noise and stop running here, there, and everywhere.

In the stillness

Focus your attention.

And hear Him speak.

There’s a great deal of talk nowadays about the place that passion plays in building a great business or ministry.

Terms like “follow your passion”, “profit from your passion” and such like have become more commonplace.

Whilst I understand the heart behind these statements, the truth remains that passion and enthusiasm are just part of the pie.

Running enthusiastically in the wrong direction does not get you to your desired destination any more than crawling there.

You can only hit a bullseye if you are facing the target.

Wisdom can never be replaced with passion, grit, or gumption. And working harder is not always the best strategy.

Read these statements carefully:

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7 KJV)

“If the iron(axe) be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.”(Ecclesiastes 10:10 KJV)

First thing first. Wisdom, the principal thing.

Wisdom sharpens the axe so less effort is needed to get the desired result. How beautiful to remember that wisdom is profitable to direct and that we will profit when we follow that direction!

Then follows understanding, the ability and know-how to apply the wisdom you’ve received.

God has wisdom for your business, your ministry, your family, your prayer life, your present and your future.

“For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:6 KJV)

The new year beckons. How will you embrace it?

Will wisdom lead the way?