The Thriving Christian Artist
The Thriving Christian Artist
Creating Sacred Connections Through Art
Have you ever wondered what truly sets apart artists who thrive in both their creative practice and business? It's not extraordinary talent, prolific output, or insider connections. The real differentiator is their ability to create intentional invitations – opportunities for meaningful connection through their art, process, story, and values.
When artists begin creating with connection deliberately in mind, a beautiful transformation occurs. This isn't just clever marketing; it's tapping into the spiritual principle found in Proverbs 11:25: "A generous person will prosper. Whoever refreshes others will himself be refreshed." As you generously share your creative journey, you're watering others' souls while God simultaneously waters yours.
Many creatives resist sharing their work, feeling uncomfortable with self-promotion or fearing imperfection. But what if we reframed this entirely? Your willingness to authentically share your process, inspiration, and even struggles creates a magnetic attraction that draws people into your artistic world. This vulnerability and generosity become the backbone of both spiritual fulfillment and commercial success – because nobody buys art from necessity; they buy from connection.
The most powerful truth is that your unwillingness to release your work ultimately says, "I don't trust God in me." The freedom you're seeking comes when you can offer your best while trusting that God can multiply your efforts beyond imagination. Your art and life become signs and wonders, creating environments where others encounter beauty, meaning, and perhaps even the divine.
Ready to transform how you approach your creative practice? Remember: God cares more that we create than precisely what we create. Start creating simple, authentic invitations into your artistic journey today, and watch how both your audience and your own spirit flourish in response.
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You know, over the years, I've noticed something really powerful about artists who thrive. They're not always the most talented or the ones that are making the most art or the ones who have all the great marketing connections. They're actually the ones who consistently create invitations, invitations into their process, their story, their values and, of course, their connection with their art, whether that be just purely from themselves or also in their connection with the Lord. And here's the truth when you start creating intentionally with that connection in mind, something beautiful happens, not just for everybody else, not just for selling your art, but inside of you too. And so today we're going to be talking about that creating invitations for connection today on the Thriving Christian Artist podcast. Welcome to the Thriving Christian Artist podcast. Welcome to the Thriving Christian Artist, the podcast where we hope you connect with God, to bust through the roadblocks that have held you back for years, create the work you love and really live the life you know. God created you to live as an artist in his kingdom. I'm Matt Tama, your host. Let's get started. Intentional invitations to connect with others. Now, you know I love to start with scripture. I want to start today with Proverbs 11, 25, one of my favorite scriptures and it says this this is a promise from the Lord, right, so you can bank on this and begin to claim this for yourself. It says in Proverbs 11, 25,. A generous person will prosper. Whoever refreshes others will himself be refreshed. I love that this idea of refreshing that it's talking about in this verse is actually a Hebrew word that talks about this idea of watering or causing somebody to flourish. And so when you are pouring out and when I'm pouring out, not only what we do in our art process, but also as we're sharing that, when we're teaching, when we're giving generously, especially in our marketing and especially in our making and teaching, we're not just blessing others, we're not just kind of doing this thing that makes us feel like a good person. We're actually refreshing others and watering their soul. And, in the process, what God is watering our own soul as well. And listen, that's just a kingdom principle. I think you should take that and just rub it in, maybe write that scripture on your wall that, listen, I'm going to walk in a way that is refreshing others, because I know that when I do, god promises to bring refreshing to me as well.
Speaker 1:So people often ask well, matt, that's a great scripture right, but what does that actually look like practically? So, as artists, it's super easy to get tunnel vision right, just to think that our job is to be in the studio making art and listen. That's vital, it's important. We've got to be doing it every day.
Speaker 1:But I believe we're also called to not just create, but create with connection in mind and create these connection points where beautiful moments can happen, where people can step into, if you will, the story behind your art, the process, your heart for creativity, your heart for the Lord, your heart for your materials and the metaphors you're using, and also the transformation that God's done in and through you. And listen. That doesn't always have to be overt Like, look what Jesus did in my heart. No, it can be this beautiful thing where, in the mystery of creating art, god shows up and uses not only our life but our art to speak something really, really powerful. And so I want you to get in this idea that when you're doing what you do right whether it's sharing a blog post or doing a reel on Instagram about your process or in your studio, or maybe you're even having a conversation in your, in your booth at a show, or or writing a caption for something on Instagram or Tik TOK or Facebook.
Speaker 1:When you're doing that, I want you to think about that Not as just marketing Cause. I know, listen, I get it A lot of artists are like I don't want to market, I feel prideful and feel prideful and I don't like putting myself out there. Don't think about it like that. Think about it as extending an invitation. Think about it as saying, hey, here's what God's doing in me. And again, you don't always have to say, you know, make it overtly spiritual necessarily, but hey, you know, in your heart you're saying here's what God is doing in me through my art. Do you want to come along for the ride? Do you want to be along for this transformation that's happening in me and through me? Do you want to learn about what I do? Do you want to see the studio and hear about the things that really ring my bell? Listen, that kind of vulnerability and even generosity and authenticity. That is what is magnetic from a marketing perspective. But there's also, again, that spiritual process and purpose behind it that when you refresh others, when you're doing things that build them up, when you're doing things that bring them into the beauty of the process that God is doing inside of you that refreshes them and you get refreshed in the process.
Speaker 1:You've heard me say it a million times Nobody buys art because they need it. They buy because of connection. They're not me say it a million times Nobody buys art because they need it. They buy because of connection. They're not just buying it because of this pretty, they're not just buying it necessarily because it matches the couch. People that really buy art original art, expensive art even they buy it because of a connection not only to what you're creating but also to you, to you as a maker, to your approach and your values and the way that you show up in the world. They feel something right from your story and that story and the unique way that you're showing up, not only as a maker but also as one that's sharing your making process.
Speaker 1:That is a huge, huge part of how people connect with you and that's also, I just want to say, listen, that's a big part of the anointing of God on your life, that's a big part of God's design and assignment on your life and I just I believe that when we step into the thing that God created us to be and created us to do, there's automatic favor and opportunity and resources and relationships tied to that, and so this is not about just sharing you know your story in order to get something back. I want you to realize that the getting something back, the you being refreshed, the your art selling, the you being filled and fulfilled as an artist that's just the natural fruit of you doing the thing that God's called you to do, and you don't have to feel bad about that. You don't have to feel bad about thing that God's called you to do and you don't have to feel bad about that. You don't have to feel bad about marketing your art or sharing what you do. We share this, First of all, what we create these things, whatever it is a song, a book, a poem, a painting, a piece of sculpture, a basket, whatever it is we create these things in faith with the Lord and we release them trusting what that God's going to use this somehow not only to maybe bring provision back into your life as a part of your income, but also to bless others and to bring them along in their spiritual process, and they're just living a beautiful life.
Speaker 1:You know, I've experienced this so many times in my life, this, this building of connection, and I wish I could say, you know, I've experienced this so many times in my life this, this building of connection, and I wish I could say, oh, I was totally intentional about this. I was not when I first started out, I didn't have any idea. You know, somehow sometimes the the Lord will show you things, um, in hindsight, that you didn't really know was going on right then. And I think that's probably mostly true about, about my, this whole thing of building connection and invitations through my art process. But I remember years ago, when I started really leaning into, uh, my art process, I was just kind of sharing, uh, a lot of what I made, you know, especially when, when social media started coming out and all that.
Speaker 1:But when I started sharing the why right, the why I love to walk in the woods, the way that I felt, felt God would speak to me, you know, through the materials or through nests, or through recycled materials, or the way that I felt more me than I ever had before when I was leaning into this process, the more I even experienced and shared about the healing that God brought in to my life through my creative process. God not only brought me clients, he not only brought me friends in the art world. He brought me tons of people like you guys that are like I never heard anybody say this, like I really I'm connecting with this. And God just started bringing people around me. Not only that would bless me, but so I could bless them as well.
Speaker 1:And so suddenly, you know people that were looking at my art on social media. They weren't just saying, oh, that is so great, they actually started buying art and they actually started, more than that, stepping into these, these moments of invitation and these moments of transformation where, when they walk into the studio or walk into the gallery or see a piece on social media, all of a sudden they're having this moment of like wow, I can really feel. I can see what Matt's talking about when he's creating from this place and listen when you do that as an artist. I don't know about you, but that makes me feel alive, that makes me feel like man. Not only am I connecting with the Lord in my creative process, but he is using me and use in a good way, right, he's using me in the work that I create for his glory, and I'm able to and you're able to in that moment, to give people a sort of a window, if you will, into the kingdom of God, to be able to to see life and creativity and beauty in this invitation to walk in a beautiful life. We, we give them invitations to be able to see that differently and listen. When you can begin to see your art.
Speaker 1:Not that every piece has to be this salvation moment for somebody, but that every piece that we create, every moment that we speak, every moment that we share, every image that we offer out there in social media and on our website and an email and whatever we're doing, it's planting these seeds in people where their heart and their mind begin to wake up to more the more that God has for them. And so I, just again, I want to invite you into that this week. And so, practically, I think you know you could start asking yourself well, maybe how can I share the story behind the piece that I'm creating right now? Or maybe the story behind inspiration that you got this week? Maybe you had a flash of an imagination or an idea, or you heard a song and it sparked something in you, or you read a poem, or you saw a flash of an imagination or an idea, or you heard a song and it sparked something in you. Or you read a poem, or you saw another piece of art and it sparked something in you.
Speaker 1:Maybe you share a behind the scenes video, you know of your art process, or maybe even reach out with an encouragement or prayer, or maybe a prophetic word you know to your followers about what you feel like God's saying right now or saying through your art, or wants to say to them and encourage them. Listen, this doesn't have to be these like big, monumental things that you're like. I spent three weeks trying to get this post ready. No, listen, just simple sentences, right. Just simple encouragement, simple opportunities to connect. These can be these simple moments where God divinely intersects somebody's life through your art and plants a seed that can forever change them.
Speaker 1:Listen, this isn't about performance. This isn't about doing it perfectly. This isn't about I'm not a writer, I'm not great at video, I'm not a good Instagram person. Listen, you got to set that junk to the side. This is about connection. You've been refreshed by the Lord, you've been endowed with this beautiful creative gift and it's our responsibility and opportunity and joy to release that. And if you don't feel perfect and if you don't feel ready, just join the club, right, god's going to use you along the way. And yet you're going to get better. Your reels are going to get better, your Instagram is going to get better, your TikTok is going to get more followers, your Facebook is going to have more comments, all the stuff right.
Speaker 1:But you just got to get started. You got to be authentic, you got to be present, you got to be willing. Right, jesus was so clear. Don't let the light that I put inside of you be hidden under a bushel, the bushel of fear, the bushel of anxiety, the bushel of I'm not enough or I'm not ready. Get that thing out there and let it start shining and trust God.
Speaker 1:You know, I just, I just think and this, this may step on somebody's toes and maybe you need it, but your unwillingness to release your work and talk about your work and really be who you are it really. If you're not willing to do that, ultimately you're saying I don't trust God in me. I'm only putting my trust and my hope in what I can do and listen. The height of freedom, the depth of freedom that we all want to get to, is we can be like hey, I've done my very best, I'm going to release this to the world and God. I know that it only looks like five loaves and two fishes to everybody else, but, god, in your hands, this can be something that multiplies and impacts tons and tons of people for your glory. And not only that, but there's going to be plenty of overflow left for me in the process.
Speaker 1:Again, when you refresh others, he's going to refresh you. Listen, you've heard me say it before. I believe God cares much more that we create than what we create. I believe that we're not only to create signs and wonders that our work would be signs and wonders used by God but I believe that our life is to be signs and wonders, that we're not just to be about creating things, but we create these experiences and these opportunities, right, these environments where people can experience him. And so when you choose again, this is an act of intentionality on your part when you choose to refresh others with the vulnerability of your creative process, or through your encouragement, or through, you know, just the plain old generosity of your creative expression and putting your work out there for people to see, you are refreshing others, but you yourself are being refreshed, and that is just this cycle of abundance.
Speaker 1:That is not my idea right. This is God's idea, and so I would say to you right now if you're feeling stuck, if you're feeling inadequate, if you're feeling disconnected, if you're feeling all the feels right, all the stuff that want to hold you back Big, big kingdom principle you need to understand respond in the opposite spirit. If you're feeling like you got nothing pour out, if you're feeling like you're feeling inadequate, go connect with somebody, go serve, go speak life into somebody else, go put your art out there, even if you feel it's not good enough, and let God open the door to something deeper in your life. Listen, friend. God is made strong. His strength is made perfect. What? Not in our perfection, but in our weakness.
Speaker 1:Father, thank you right now for every artist that's listening to this podcast. God, thank you that you've called us to be generous with the things not only that you put in our hands, but also with our life. That we'd be willing, god, to, even in the mystery, even in our feeling like we're not ready, god, that we'd be willing and ready and excited about just sharing who you are in us, what you're doing through us, and the work that we create with our hands and with the words of our mouth. God, we thank you for this opportunity that, even though what we do feels insignificant sometimes, god, you are the God that multiplies and accelerates. You're the God of more than enough. You're the God of more than we can ask or imagine. God, you're the God who accelerates and take things far beyond what we ever even dreamed was possible. And, lord, you're not looking for our perfection, you're only looking for our yes. So, god, we say yes. We say yes to share, yes to create, yes to show up in the studio, yes, to show up in the world and be the people and share the work that you've created us to create. We love you. We thank you for that. Lord, in Jesus name. Amen, my friend, I love you so much. I hope this encourages you like none other.
Speaker 1:Listen, we're on our way to two million downloads this year. I can't believe it. The only way we're going to get there is if you subscribe and if you let your friends who are artists know about this podcast and say, hey, share it on social media. You're looking for something to share. Share this, share this episode. Invite friends in your art guild at church, people that you know online. Let them know that the Thriving Christian Artist podcast is out here with over 500 life-giving episodes that are absolutely free, to equip you and encourage you in everything that God's called you to as an artist in the kingdom. I love you, my friend. Remember till next time you were created to thrive. Bye, hey, my friend.
Speaker 1:Before you go, make sure that you're signed up for the Thriving Christian Artist Weekly. It's my free newsletter, full of spiritual encouragement, creative inspiration and practical tips to help you thrive in everything that God's called you to do as an artist in his kingdom. Every issue is absolutely free and it includes the latest podcast episode, featured artist spotlights, a worship song of the week and again tons of tips and encouragement and inspiration for you to keep you inspired and encouraged in everything. That episode featured artist spotlights, a worship song of the week and again, tons of tips and encouragement and inspiration for you to keep you inspired and encouraged in everything that God's got for you as an artist in the kingdom. You can click the link right here in the show notes to join us and it's a great way to stay connected. All right, love you.