I vividly remember a moment I asked God about my first big studio project working with a team . Amidst processing emotions ranging from excitement to nervousness , I found myself stuck on the question : how was it supposed to sound ? Should it be pop ? Acoustic ? What if it ended up being something I didn ’ t connect with ? I was slightly overwhelmed . In the middle of my conversation with God , He stopped me , clearly and lovingly speaking words to my heart that have since marked me : “ You are the sound .” I realized in that moment that I am not defined by or confined to a particular sonic style , but that the authenticity of my heart ’ s expression unto God is the fragrance of worship He ’ s after . This is the “ sound ” I am meant to carry . I have since sought to let that guide my creative process .
As Christ followers and creatives , I believe that the act of creating is an expression of worship to God . And if worship is the response of our heart to who He is , then our creativity should flow from this place too ! Every time we create — be it writing , producing , composing , playing — there is an invitation to engage our whole selves in the process , letting what is within us pour out onto pages , spill over into how we play our instruments , etc .
I believe the offering of our fullest and genuine expression is a gift to God . Our authenticity is not only a blessing to God ’ s heart , but also to others . The powerful thing about authenticity is that it invites others into authenticity as well . When we are ourselves , it ministers to others by giving them permission to be themselves . Our authenticity before God invites others to authentically express themselves before Him too .
Yet how easy is it to let outside influences and self-imposed pressures hinder us from fully sharing what God is stirring and has placed within us ? How often do we approach the creative process where an arbitrary set of “ shoulds ” influence the decisions we make ? Instead , what if our creative process were to start as an inward response to God that flows outward into creative choices ?
As a songwriter and artist , over the years , I ’ ve come across a slew of snares that have sought to hamper my creativity . But there ’ s one connection that I ’ ve found to be particularly impacting ( and one I ’ ve found true in my own life ): our freedom in creativity is inextricably linked to how we view ourselves in God and how we relate to Him . In effect , the condition of our heart and thought life in both of these areas affects the art we make . To boil it down further — how we see ourselves as children of God affects our creative process .
Now , you might be thinking , “ Wait — writing ,