We all have our different roles and responsibilities, but no matter the job chances are high that it requires we have some good ideas.
And so this is the time of year when we are over-planning, reaching for solutions, and making a list again.
Today, the motivation is there but the inspiration is not. This might be the most frustrating part.
We want to work. We want to create and form and move into places where we’ve not yet been. But the mind feels foggy and the schedule won’t allow it and every good idea has come and gone.
Is our best work behind us? Are our most innovative ideas now in the past?
This terrifies us, if we are honest.
No matter the art – be it painting, dancing, mothering, writing, counseling, teaching, or design – we struggle when it seems we’ve lost our rhythm.
We grieve when we can’t seem to find our voice.
Joy and discouragement live too close in our hearts and we can’t reconcile our desire with our constant disappointment.
We believe we heard right way back then.
You said plant.
And so we planted.
You said water.
And so we water.
But we’re having a hard time believing that You’ll make the seed grow because today the results feel foggy and unsettling.
We confess we’ve started digging in the dirt to see if that seed is making progress.
Where would You have us go from here?
We ask for good ideas, but that feels small and insecure. Maybe we’re asking the wrong question.
Remind us the truth, that creativity works best within boundaries. And sometimes those boundary lines show up in the form of overwhelm, frustration, and disappointment.
Sometimes our limits are boring and trite, like a full family schedule on a Tuesday afternoon.
And so we confess all the ways we hold on to the wrong things and we admit that the wrong things are holding on to us.
We are obsessed with results. And we think we need good ideas to make them happen.
Forgive us for our addiction to the high of innovation.
Forgive us for forgetting that we don’t just make art, but we are art. And You the true Artist.
As we wait, teach us how to embrace the space between ideas.
Rearrange us.
Redirect us.
Remind us that You haven’t given up.
You are a finisher and You always carry out your work until it is complete. Especially the work you begin in us, the invisible kind.
While we may feel stuck, stalled out, and clogged up, You invite us into a different kind of work, the kind that isn’t heavy or ill-fitting.
Show us what it means to keep company with You.
You are in us and we are in You and this is where our life comes from.
We choose to reject a results-driven, performance-based acceptance of ourselves and instead choose to believe that in Christ we have everything we need.
I’m Emily, and I’m glad you’re here. If you like what you see, sign up here for my monthly notes from the bench, where I’ll share books I’m reading, favorite things, and encouragement for your soul you won’t find anywhere else.
Debi Gable says
May 10, 2016 at 10:40 AMI found today’s writing very inspirational. I want to put into practice what I just learned.
Andrew says
May 10, 2016 at 10:55 AMThank you so much for this encouragement! Something my wife and I have been feeling for a while.
Linda says
May 10, 2016 at 11:02 AMPrinting this one out, Emily. How did you know?
Michelle says
May 10, 2016 at 11:12 AMThank you Emily for such a timely reminder. This is exactly where I am today – I so needed this reminder that I am the art and He the artist. ?
melissa says
May 10, 2016 at 11:39 AMLately my writing and inspiration had fallen flat. So I took notice, let the little writing series I was doing come to a close, imperfect and all. The decision brought me peace and some space for me soul. The tips you gave me on when it’s time to end a project were so helpful. Love and Hope to you. Thanks for the beautiful blog post today, giving me so much affirmation.
Margaret says
May 10, 2016 at 12:04 PMIt seems you have spoken grace and love to many of us today. Thank you. I too find myself in this place of not know what’s next. I am recently retired, recently relocated 1700 miles from where my life was, its truly a great adventure and one that I know God has called us to, but the “be still and know” part is (as always) more lengthy than I’d imagined. Your words today have given me rest and so I will trust (as I always come to) in Him no matter the outcome.
Thank you!!
Heather Krane says
May 10, 2016 at 12:12 PMThank you! With two babies and trying to figure out time to practice or what’s next with my singing this is balm and encouragement
Carolyn says
May 10, 2016 at 1:10 PMThanks so much for this, Emily. So much freedom here for me today.
Erin Etheridge says
May 10, 2016 at 1:21 PMBeautiful. Life-giving.
Caitlin says
May 10, 2016 at 1:24 PMWhat perfect timing. After 8 years in my career, I have been feeling lost and out of place lately. I know that I am growing but mid-growth is scary. I am not religious but I follow your blog ritually, and I have been doing my own form of praying lately for an answer to my fear. I have been trying to spread more good into the world than usual in hopes that some of it will return to me. I really appreciate your words today.
Maxine Gonzalez says
May 10, 2016 at 2:31 PMThanks for putting into words what I can’t. And yes I struggle with this with writing! I know you understand the issue of oh, I have to get another blog post out there and not wanting to make your readers wait on you. Often times I pray for something to come, anything. But often I find if I relax and rest in the waiting, the LORD comes through for me. HE doesn’t disappoint! Thanks for your sweet encouragement. Blessings!
Martha says
May 10, 2016 at 2:52 PMthank you.. yes!
Linda Stoll says
May 10, 2016 at 2:53 PMMay He keep us content as we spend a bit of a season in the waiting room.
Pat says
May 10, 2016 at 2:57 PMThank you for this Emily!!
I loved it MORE THAN WORDS can say–after all I AM…”Stuck, stalled out and clogged up”!
However…I pray with you…
“Show us what it means to keep company with You. You are in us and we are in You and this is where our life comes from. We choose to reject a results-driven, performance-based acceptance of ourselves and instead choose to believe that in Christ we have everything we need.” Amen 🙂
Laura says
May 10, 2016 at 3:40 PMSo helpful! Thank you for this post.
K Ann Guinn says
May 10, 2016 at 4:11 PMThank you for your gentle, truthful reminder that God is in control…..and that I just need to trust him with my purpose.
Meredith @ The Palette Muse says
May 11, 2016 at 11:22 AMLove this! Thank you so much for the reminder.
Andy Robinson says
May 11, 2016 at 1:35 PMThanks, great words! It came to me as I read that certainly this sentiment also rings true for parenting. I am foster parenting and it is truly not science, it is art. Creativity and inspiration are always in great need.
Beth williams says
May 11, 2016 at 4:16 PMEmily,
Loved this. It seems lately that my schedule is full and I’ve lost my rhythm. Time slips away too fast. I know God has plans for me and that He can Rearrange us,
Redirect us, and Remind us that You haven’t given up. Great words of wisdom for this day!
April Box says
May 12, 2016 at 12:58 PMOh. I am so glad I read this Emily. Thank you for your words. You understand that what you might be working through could also resonate with your readers. Always a pleasure to read your words of encouragement or hear you on the HopeWriters podcast with the rest of the crew! Happy Thursday to you.
Tara says
May 16, 2016 at 3:43 PMThis is beautiful and just what I needed today!
Tami Lage says
July 14, 2016 at 11:30 AMThis prayer is so lovely. I will hold it close to my heart. Thank you Emily.