David Lee Martin

There is no desert of ideas. The ground of your heart is fertile and fruitful.

The Holy Spirit dwells within you, and He is quite literally the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful One. There is no boundary or end to His genius.

As Jesus said:

“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive” (John 7:38–39 KJV)

That should reassure you.

As a Christian creative, the ocean of inspiration is right there on the inside, waiting to be explored.

The limitless nature of God has been coupled with your talent. It is a formidable partnership.

Diving into this well has a name.

It’s called waiting.

To “wait” on God means to entwine yourself. To attach yourself to Him and wrap yourself around Him. It means to hold tight and fix yourself to His generous nature, drawing life from His life within you. It means to step aside from self-reliance and lean your whole weight on Him.

So if you’re dry and dusty, stop.

Step aside from the desperation and dive into the prayer closet. Let anxious thoughts subside and submerge yourself in the warm waters of waiting.

You’ll never come up disappointed. There is always a new insight to gain. A fresh perspective He will reveal. A personal encouragement He will offer.

As the saying goes,

The branch that bears the most fruit bows the lowest.

And for those who fear God, no lack…

“Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!” (Psalm 34:9 ESV)

Busyness and bluster is not the answer. Being in His presence is.

My favorite moments each day, aside from those stolen kisses with the Saviour in prayer, are the ones in which I switch off the noise and write from the heart.

Not for attention. Not to fill a quota. Not to engineer an audience.

Simply to listen.

Writing for life not for likes.

To let my inner voice spill on the page and find expression.

I’m my number one audience, eagerly awaiting what my heart will say.

The act of writing is cathartic. Healing.

My heart and mind are blinkered from the bustle when I write without intent. Simple, honest, loving words are powerful. They resonate on a level that shouting in the wind never will.

So here I am.

Writing.

Believing that maybe my words will encourage someone else to sit down and create. To cast off insecurity and muzzle the voices that keep them silent.

To give you permission to switch off the noise and make something beautiful.

You are the unique ingredient that makes everything you produce special and worthy of attention.

Your worthiness is the wonder that infuses your words and creative work with fire!

In the creative space, people connect with people, not products. Your story is not a commodity, it is irreplaceable.

The fruit you produce is one of a kind.

Rooted in Jesus, your branches stretch out through your creativity, touching and changing lives. And just as a tree often takes time, so the process of growing and becoming a voice in the marketplace takes persistence and patience.

Get Real & Have Some Fun

I’ve been in this game (and it is a game, so let’s make it fun) for a long time. Plenty of ups and downs, a huge slice of humble pie alongside any accolades I’ve accumulated along the way.

And through it all, I can say with utmost gratitude…

Jesus is Lord!

He is a faithful friend and a magnificent partner in the process. A process full of surprises.

Sometimes, I’ve been surprised at my successes. Days in which all is bright and the church bells are ringing in my dreams, and I’m living my best life.

Other times, I’ve been surprised (shocked may be a better word) when all manner of insecurity has been unearthed, and I’m brought face-to-face with my ugly old self.

And it is this rich tapestry of feeble humanity, coupled with the wonder of God fighting your corner, that makes this whole affair one that is full of wonder.

I get what Paul meant when he said,

“When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 10:11)

Your weaknesses and failings are as much a part of the value you bring to the table as your wins.

Never forget that.

People connect with people, not products. They are not looking for an untouchable marketplace hero, merely someone like them whom they can follow.

Take the lead, wear your imperfections on your sleeve, and let’s go make a difference in the world!

Don’t get wrapped in the graveclothes of conformity.

As a Kingdom man or woman, you were made to make a difference.

Here’s the thing.

To make a difference, you have to be different. Not weird different. Just YOU different.

The art of showing up is simply becoming increasingly comfortable with being yourself.

Faithful Creatives are not afraid to stand up and stand out because they allow God to shape their identity. Praise Jesus, we’re not trying to “be” someone.

I love this directive from above:

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2 KJV)

That word “prove” means to test and to try.

Permission granted!

Go out and try something!

Run a few experiments. Exercise your creativity.

Shake off the feeling that you have to fit in.

Today is the day you step from the shadows and let your voice be heard.

Hearing God speak is the foundation of Christian living.

He is speaking. Are you listening?

But how does He speak?

That’s a great question, and one I eagerly explore every day of my life.

As we know, faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17). When God speaks and we hear, the atmosphere changes. Confidence and ability to act are wrapped up in that Voice.

I have found that the Holy Ghost speaks in various different ways, sometimes in a picture, sometimes through Scripture, sometimes through people, until I finally get the message.

But I want to highlight one that’s often overlooked.

I simply call it “trust your gut”.

I like this one because it can offer HGPS (Holy Ghost Positioning System) aid even in dark places and leads you out to the light.

Check it out:

“I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons” (Psalm 16:7 KJV)

The Lord is your counsellor, and we find that he uses reins.

It’s interesting to me that the KJV translators landed on the word “reins” as the best English word to express this thought. Reins, of course, are the means to steer a horse. In context, that seems appropriate, but the word here does not refer to that kind of rein.

It means “kidneys” (the essential organs).

You’ve heard the phrase “trust your guts”.

Maybe this is where it came from?

Don’t Say No To The Knowing In Your Knower

Don’t discount that inner prompt, that inward knowing, that wordless unction. It could very well be the Holy Ghost pulling the bit in your mouth trying to turn you.

In Christian circles, there’s a messy doctrine that’s often embraced that says you should not trust yourself. I get the idea behind this, and it sounds humble, but it’s also humbug.

If you're a born again, Spirit-filled believer, your inner man, your belly man, the hidden woman or man of the heart, is designed to hear counsel from heaven and bubble that direction up onto your consciousness so you can put feet to what you have heard.

Stop doubting yourself and step out.

Trust your gut and go for it.

You know what I mean!

Selah

PS: I don’t think for a moment I have explained this well, but hopefully the Holy Ghost will squeeze through the lines of my fumbled attempts.