Growing Creatively
copyright Donna Smallenberg
www.donnasmallenberg.com
"Probably the most meaningful things a person can share are those of personal experience. With that in my mind I want to share some of my present circumstances artistically and spiritually. I welcome your thoughts and experiences as well and would love to hear from you.
Like myself, you probably get to places in your life and in your creativity where things change and you aren't sure what is happening. This can be scary! When you try to cling to what you already know and already do, things don't happen. I am at a time when I am feeling highly creative, working hard, but needing to see God's provision.
I have had many times in the past where God moved to provide in big and unexpected ways. I hardly blinked and eye and He did things amazing things to grow my ministry. I know He will continue to do that, for you and for me. It's simply the kind of wonderful, surprising and generous Father that He is. But what about the in between times?
I am convinced that I shouldn't just sit back spiritually or creatively. I have read things lately that have encouraged me.
In John 21, after Jesus had died, the disciples decided to carry on with what they knew and went out fishing. They worked hard but didn't catch a thing. Then resurrected Jesus appeared to them and told them to cast their nets in a certain place and they caught so many fish that they couldn't haul them in.
So many times through scripture we find the Lord bringing people to a place of difficulty before He brings the increase. That doesn't mean we are to stop what we are doing but it does mean that He is getting creative with our lives. The disciples went on to be fishers of men. This was unexpected, God being His wonderful, surprising self.
In 2 Kings 3: 16&17 the Lord had His people in a place
of helplessness, desperately in need of water. There was no rain and no water
in the wells. God told them to dig trenches, an act of faith
and expectancy of divine blessing. Then in a silent and mysterious way the
trenches were filled with water.
So I am digging my trenches. I want to be ready to receive His blessing. I want to live in expectancy instead of fear.
Artistically I am being stretched. I am taking part in some opportunities this summer that are a little different for me. I am going to be involved in a large arts festival in July. I am also getting a license to sell my work in a popular resort area. As a result I am doing some things differently. I am turning out a series of paintings that aren't as large or time consuming to produce as some of my large symbolic paintings. I am also producing several other products.
I am having some of my images transferred onto fabric and producing wall hangings from them. I will be using beautiful fabrics to enhance the images. I am also having canvas transfers done from my prints. I am framing some of the card images in creative ways, just generally getting creative with what I have to offer.
This is my way of digging trenches, of casting out a net. It is up to the Lord to bring the increase.
Producing e-cards for my website is the same thing. I will gradually add to the e-cards available. I plan on eventually having different categories and getting creative with this new venture. I can only dig the trenches , cast out the nets.
I am sure that many of you can relate to this place I am in. I would love to hear about your experiences and put together an e-mail with the insights that you have as well. Let us encourage one another to love and good works!
In His Love,
Donna
Great Commission Worship & Arts Center