Creative Abundance vs. Scarcity
When you’ve had the itch to share your creativity with the world, have you ever found yourself saying: “If I just had more…”?
More time… more money… more followers… more experience, more resources, more childcare, more ideas, more gear, more support, more affirmation. ET CETERA… Then, thennn, I would create. (Fill in create with whatever outlet that is for you. Writing, blogging, photography, content creation, social media, Youtube videos, painting, whatever.)
Well I’m here to tell ya - as long are you are waiting for more, you will always be missing out.
I write this with so much compassion for both you and myself. All of these “creative pep talk” blogs I write are a note to self of sorts as I am currently embarking on a major creative journey. One that is stretching me to explore the freedom & permission we have been granted by God to CREATE. And on today’s journey, I am being challenged in my mindset of creative abundance vs. scarcity.
I am currently reading & feeling SO encouraged by a book called Create Anyways by Ashlee Gadd. I would love to buy you this book. Seriously, just send me an email. And as I read about the idea of creative scarcity in Chapter 6, I felt so convicted.
I have absolutely bought into the idea of creative scarcity - and it ties so heavily together with perfectionism. This idea that if I just had a little more time, confidence, resources… that only then would I be able to create the type of work I could feel proud of and put out into the world.
But my problem isn’t a lack of x, y, or z. The problem is in my heart. If I trust that God has given me the exact measure I am meant to have, that He has given me a unique set of giftings, circumstances, opportunities, resources, and raw materials. That He has doled out my portion, that He is good, that He is sovereign. Then all I need to be concerned with, is being a good steward of what He has given me - right here, right now. “Whoever is faithful with little, will be faithful with much…”
From the very beginning of time, in the Garden of Eden, the enemy used scarcity as a tool of deception to lead us away from God’s best for us. In Genesis Chapter 3 he says, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” “You will not certainly die… For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
And I fall for this same trick when I believe these lies: I have nothing good to offer. Anything I could create is already being done by somebody else, but better. No one would benefit from what I have to say/create. I am so unoriginal, so why even try? There’s not enough room for all of us in this space. My creative gifts won’t have any impact. My creativity is a waste of time. Creativity is frivolous.
The rebuttal to these lies is not some fluffy, cheesy Pinterest quote: I am special! I am awesome! But the rebuttal is found in a trust that God has given me the portion He has chosen to give me and it is my honor to steward it well for His glory. Regardless of how it is received, regardless of its reach, regardless of the accolades or approval it may or my not acquire.
I have all that I need because I have the Creator God within me. And when I’m motivated by bringing Him glory instead of my own self-assurance or applause or popularity, I have freedom to do my best in obedience to Him and let go of the shackles of perfectionism. To take a leap of faith, to put myself out there, to share my creativity with others. Knowing that I’ll be very much okay, no matter how well it “performs” or how well it is received by others, because I am loved by Him.
When we choose to trust in the abundance of God, that He has given us all that we need and more to be faithful, even and specifically in the creative space, we have freedom to share our creativity with others. We have the freedom to be vulnerable as we share what we make. We have the freedom to give generously, even if it feels like we don’t have a lot to give.
Our God is a Creator God. He is a God of abundance. And He makes no mistakes! Here is to hoping I can create boldly and confidently, while resting in these truths. And here’s to hoping you can, too. xo, Suzy