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From the Easel: Just Start

The month of May is Creative Beginnings Month. It is a great time to start something creative. 

At a recent creative expression workshop I led, a gentleman sat quietly while others worked on their mixed media expressions. I walked over to him and whispered, “Just start. Take a paint brush, dip it in a color, and begin. Don’t worry about the end result.” He did and everyone loved what he created.

Staring at a blank canvas or a blank page can be very intimidating. Being told to start something creative can be intimidating. I have found two keys to remember as you begin. 

#1 Don’t worry about the end result. 

Just start. Take the first step. It can be a baby step like purchasing colored pencils and a grown up coloring book. It can be a giant leap like opening a spiral notebook to begin your book. It could be sitting at an easel with a blank canvas. 

#2 Remember you are not in this alone. 

God longs to come alongside of you and assist you in your creative journey. It was how I learned to paint. I sat in front of a canvas on my table (I didn’t have an easel yet) and said, “Lord, I don’t know how to paint but you do. Please show me the way.” And He did. 

Lest you think that is heresy, let me remind you of what the apostle John penned in his first letter. 

“As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.” 1 John 2:27

I’ve studied the Greek. “All” means “all, any, every, the whole.” In other words. All means all! 

Even the most practical and seemingly unspiritual things in life are available to us through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

What type of creative beginning would you like to start? 

Go ahead! 

Take that step. Holy Spirit waits to work with you. 

You might be surprised by just how much joy you unleash. You might be surprised by all that you can learn about your creativity. You might be surprised to learn even more about your Creator. 

Take the step and enjoy the journey! I’ll be here rooting you on.