As I’ve been spending my morning quiet time before God, I thought that I’d share just a tad with you as a way to encourage you to do the same.
As you may recall, the significance of the “21 Days” is this: doing something for 21 days straight will allow it to become a habitual part of your lifestyle. The goal is to maintain a dedicated, uninterrupted one-on-one prayer time alone with God each day.
I bring my journal with me during this time to either write or draw what I sense God communicating to me. Last week, He spoke something simple to my spirit. Something I’ve read before. But something that I probably needed to hear in these challenging financial times. It blessed me and it may bless you:
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” Psalm 55:22
No matter if it’s things about your art career or even things that go beyond that, you must remember that God cares about you and takes interest in what concerns you. These things attempt to create stress and anxiety when you hold on to them. But God whispered to me last week “give ‘em to me. I’ll handle them because I care about what you care about.”
Anyone else taking the “21 Days” challenge? Share by posting your comments below:
Mel, that is so true: “God is a whisperer” just like He showed us in 1 Kings 19:12 when His “still, small voice” whispered to Elijah as he was seeking Him.
Tony-
I can testify that the best ideas come when I’m fellowshipping with the Father or meditating on His words.
I’d rather be in the word than draw, but God is balanced.
I ask the Creator on how to be more creative.
I ask Him questions concerning my technique and believe it or not…He actually provides it.
He has proposed exercises to perform in order to keep my eye-and-hand coordination.
The Lord loves to see us create, but even more when its with and through Him.
Just like Debbie, I use to get distracted when I attempted to “involve” God in drawing, but that was a result of having too many things in my heart.
He then convinced me that He is the better thing and shortly after, focus came.
The reason I have to take my sketch pad and/or journal with me is because God is a whisperer…He’s like the wind when it comes to fellowship…I don’t know from where it comes or goes, but I must be ready when He speaks.
I’m learning that if you want to be an artist after God’s heart, you have to give Him your heart everyday.
Hi Debbie! Good to hear from you again.
I keep it simple and am in no way rigid about it. The “essentials”, if you will, that I include in my quiet time with God are:
My bible, so that I can hear from Him.
My journal/sketchbook so that I can record those “special nuggets” that He shares with me.
Sometimes those special things I record are scriptures that I know I should meditate on further.
Sometimes He gives me a design solution that I sketch out or an image comes to mind.
It all depends, but the things I suggest you include should add to creating Quality time rather than take away from or distract.
Tony-
I have had prayer time with God, but I must admit I have never been consistent. In the past I have just read the Bible and did not have a journal. Doesnt drawing during your time with the Lord distract you? Maybe I am too simple minded but I would be concentrating on the art and not Him. What do you suggest for the ‘hows’, ‘whens’, ‘wheres’ and do you read the Bible at the same time?
Keep up the great work, I have suggested your weblog to my art students.
GREAT! Thanks for letting us know, Devin!
We know it’s the RIGHT thing to do, but in this present day when we’re all moving a mile a minute, it is something that we have to WORK AT!
Just knowing that we’re not alone encourages us to stay at it.
Tony-
I am, starting today! I got quiet time with God this morning and I want to get consistent with it. This morning helped me realized just how important it is if we really want to become more like Him. Your post really helped, Tony. Thanks for being a light!