It may help to think of it this way. If you were meant to cure cancer or write a symphony or crack cold fusion and you don’t do it, you not only hurt yourself, even destroy yourself. You hurt your children. You hurt me. You hurt the planet.
You shame the angels who watch over you and you spite the Almighty, who created you and only you with your unique gifts, for the sole purpose of nudging the human race one millimeter farther along its path back to God.
Steven Pressfield, The War of Art, Page 165
Hello Readers, hope all’s well. Time for another #shorts post.
Long-time Readers know I’m a real bookworm. I’m a voracious reader. I read many books on a wide variety of topics (but mostly Christianity). If you want to be a great writer you have to be a great reader, or so they say. Good thing I enjoy reading so much regardless.
The latest book I read is The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield. I heard about this book two years ago, and I’ve been eager to read it since then. At last, I got around to it this year. And it was an excellent read I’ll never forget. It’s easy to read and goes by fast while offering deep insight on the creative process.
As you may know, one of the hardest things we can ever do in life is to create something. To be creative. To write something, paint something, make music. Producing any creative work … it’s painful, difficult, frustrating, and so much more. I’m sure you know what “writer’s block” is, and artists working in every medium fight against some version of it. Writer’s block has been a constant torment for me ever since starting this blog more than one year ago. In every single post, I have spent time paralyzed, agonizing about what to say and how to say it. Some days the writer’s block completely defeats me, and I can’t produce anything.
Steven Pressfield calls this force “Resistance,” the force behind all creative blocks. Resistance is internal; it exists in every person trying to do something creative. It’s a self-sabotaging, self-defeating inner force that stops us from doing what we were meant to do. And too often, it succeeds.
The War of Art is a great book to learn more about Resistance (creative block) and how to defeat it. It also does a great job of explaining the crucial importance of defeating Resistance in our life, no matter who we are or what goals we have. Because Resistance isn’t only there to stop us from writing a best-selling novel (etc.). Resistance doesn’t care so much about that. What Resistance is really there to do is to stop us from following God’s Calling for our lives.
Who We’re Meant to Be
Familiar with Ephesians 2:10?? Who are we, and what are we here for?? We are God’s own work of art, created in Christ Jesus to do good works. And God Plans for us to do these works.
(10) Instead, we are God’s accomplishment, created in Christ Jesus to do good things. God planned for these good things to be the way that we live our lives.
Ephesians 2:10 (CEB)
Well, Resistance arises within us to stop us from starting those good works. And if we get started, Resistance keeps attacking us to stop us from completing our works. But if Resistance succeeds, the consequences are far-reaching.
If Resistance stops our creative work from being born into the world, Resistance prevents any impact our work could have had on the lives of others. Pressfield uses the example of what if God meant for us to cure cancer?? If Resistance (which is more or less Satan) succeeds in stopping us from fulfilling God’s Purpose for us, countless millions will suffer.
Defeating Resistance in our lives is about more than us. Think about it.
It may help to think of it this way. If you were meant to cure cancer or write a symphony or crack cold fusion and you don’t do it, you not only hurt yourself, even destroy yourself. You hurt your children. You hurt me. You hurt the planet.
You shame the angels who watch over you and you spite the Almighty, who created you and only you with your unique gifts, for the sole purpose of nudging the human race one millimeter farther along its path back to God.
Steven Pressfield, The War of Art, Page 165
“Nudging the human race one millimeter farther along its path back to God.” That’s an amazing phrase, one I’m sure never to forget. Think about the importance of persevering in our creative work and seeing it through to the end. Our work could be positive, meaningful, and significant to others. Our work could have a positive impact on humanity itself. We don’t know if it will or not, but it very well could. And that alone is enough to make our creative work our top priority, and to endure through the pain of finishing it.
God created us in Jesus to do good works … He plans for us to do these works … because our good works have an impact on others. Naturally, our creative works are included in the category of “good works.” If Resistance stops us, it stops our art from impacting the lives of others. Then we stop ourselves from following God’s Plan for the impact our life should have.
So for you, me, and all people engaged in any creative work, defeating Resistance is about so much more than finishing drafts, recording songs, or putting the final touches on a painting. Defeating Resistance is about answering God’s Call, and fulfilling the Purpose He has for our lives. It’s about being who He meant us to be; our true selves. It’s about doing the good works we were created in Christ Jesus to do, so we can Glorify God and impact the lives of others.
Let’s always remember that. When Resistance hits us hard, let’s pray to God for the strength, Wisdom, and tenacity to overcome it. Because this isn’t about making creative works to get rich and glorify ourselves. It’s about living our God-given Purpose, and being who God meant us to be.
That’s it for #shorts #20. Stay tuned for more #shorts all this month.
Well that’s all for today. If you enjoyed today’s post, be sure to Subscribe using the link below. And please consider Supporting My Blog using the Tip Jar. Any amount is much appreciated!
Until next time, be strong and do good!
Your new best friend in Christ,
99:9
<<<EXALT THE LORD OUR GOD AND WORSHIP AT HIS HOLY HILL; FOR THE LORD OUR GOD IS HOLY>>>
Follow My Blog
Subscribe to my FREE Substack newsletter so you never miss any of my posts!
https://999f64.substack.com/
Support My Blog
The Tip Jar
If you enjoyed this article, or any of the content on my site, please consider tossing a dollar in ‘the tip jar’ by donating here. All donations of any amount are greatly appreciated! If all you have to give are thoughts and prayers, I will gladly accept those too! I receive those, don’t worry 🙂
$1.00
99:9 Exalt El Shaddai 