The temperature is 40 degrees…indoors…and all year round.

He’s suited up in what looks like rain gear from head to toe.

Rubber gloves that barely allow his fingers to do his job of operating the steel machine within this meat processing factory cover the hands that everyone once said could draw anything.

Now those hands only draw nicknames for his coworkers on the backs of their rain suits…because “that guy can draw!” even when the medium left to him is only a Sharpie.

The skin on his hands peel a little now, because the steam along with the gloves that he thought would only cover his hands for 6 months or so now have been on his hands for two years.

But today is different.

Today the gloves came off to shake the hands of his fellow factory workers.

Because earlier, those same hands opened an envelope; an envelope from the University…“Congratulations, you’ve been accepted…”

Thus my journey began nearly twenty-five years ago…

…realizing God had always had a calling on my life that involved the talent He placed within me.

And this why I do what I do, be it here online, or in the community with ART SLAM LIVE™. Anything to help creative people discover their purpose just as I did.

-Tony Snipes,
Factory worker turned-Art/Design Student,
Publisher, Founder
ArtLessonsFromGod.com

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In fact in a recent poll we conducted, nearly 1 out of 5 of you said that this was the biggest barrier to you fulfilling your creative purpose.

Well, be confident in the fact I, too wrestled with this in past years. It wasn’t until I learned the following two truths from studying scripture that I began to see a breakthrough:

1. God has always had a plan in mind, and I’m a part of it.
2. God knew that I would doubt that He had a plan for me, so He made a promise in writing to give me direction.

Here’s what He’s promised to us:

God has a plan for you:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

God PROMISES to guide you:
“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.”
Psalms 32:8

God PROMISES that He will answer you:
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
Jeremiah 33:3

So, how does knowing this impact your thoughts on the coming year? Share your comments with the rest of us below.

Know someone that needs to hear this for 2012? Share this article with at least two friends.

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How do you “abuse” your creativity?

One of two ways:

1. Use it in a manner for which it was not designed for.

Or….

2. Put it on the back burner and not use it at all.

Either way, it fails to accomplish what it was made to do.

Now, I thought twice about sharing this with you because it is much shorter than my average post here…but I think it speaks long after you step away from your computer, smart phone or however you received it.

With that in mind, in the comments below, tell me one thing that makes you want to share this post- and why.

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This Sunday he said:

“The first stage to purpose is pain.” It took me a moment, but then I got it! The following  came to me from a creative person’s point of view:

How many times have you felt a void? How many times did you feel there was something missing in your life as a creative person?

How often have you felt frustrated because you felt that you’re not accomplishing what you were born to accomplish?

That’s your pain.

Here’s a big one: What do you “hate”? What’s the problem that some people are facing that you and your creativity could be the solution to?

That’s also your pain.

Whether it’s a “hunger” or a feeling of not being satisfied or a feeling that someone needs to do something to help others….that’s your pain.

The reason I think my pastor considers this the first step in discovering your purpose, is because the pain forces you to seek God for the answers

LESSON: Pain Leading To ACTION:

1. Write down your PAIN: What’s missing? What should be accomplished by now? What problem needs your help?

2. List one, two, no more than three of these “pains” or opportunities that you could take some form of action on within the next seven days.

3. Give it a target date in order to meet the deadline.

4. Forward these tips to 3 fellow creatives that you feel would benefit from it! 

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Some of you have been called to group projects that are far bigger than what you could have ever done on your own.

Some of you have taken huge steps in growing your creative career. New jobs in the creative field, new classes and courses of study in design and the arts.

You’ve answered the call to do a great work. But  when that work is ordained by God, you can always expect…OPPOSITION.

DON’T PANIC

God teaches us in the bible through the life of Nehemiah that when opposition comes, you can count on His strength and intervention instead of your own ability.

When Nehemiah was called to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, his enemies reacted in a way that you may have witnessed when you’ve accepted to do the creative challenge God’s placed before you:

• Anger

• Ridicule

• Words Of Discouragement

• Group Plots to Tear Down What You’re Trying to Build Up

(Anything seem familiar?)

WHEN OPPOSITION APPROACHES YOUR CREATIVE ENDEAVOR, DO LIKE NEHEMIAH:

Whether you’re launching ART SLAM, The Brotherhood of Comic Artists, or starting a new job in the design world, do these 4 things when opposition raises it’s head:

1. Pray:
Resist the natural inclination to handle matters within your strength. Instead, welcome and turn over the case to God.

2. Stay On Your Task:
The key objective of the enemies of God’s will is to paralyze His people, especially if they are on the road to fulfilling purpose. Resist, stay on task, get the job done.

3. Be On Your Guard:
Nehemiah and his men were aware of the enemy’s plot, and continued to work. At the same time they also armed themselves to defend the work at hand. You, too, must continue the creative task all the while defending the momentum from negative opposition.

4. Count On the Group:
Like with Nehemiah, opposition loses its impact when individuals take their place in a corporate, God-ordained initiative. And even if your “huge steps” are personal progress, surrounding yourself with encouragers gives the same effect.

Read all of Nehemiah’s story, especially verses 2:17; 4:6; 6:15- 16; 8:8.

If you like this post, please forward it to a friend.

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