Years ago, I bemoaned my lack of artistic talent. Impatience percolated until the pour oozed with bitterness.
I wanted to be further along than I was. I longed to be a published author, an extinguished artist, a person of influence, but the road ahead was long and rocky, and I was impatient.
Then from out of nowhere, words wafted through my thoughts: Become the artist and writer you want to be!”
An awareness permeated my being, a knowing that I was entering a long season of working hard at painting and writing.
- Taking art lessons online
- Painting, painting, and painting some more
- Writing regularly
- Organizing my writing into manuscripts
- Learning how to build an author’s platform
The Lord seemed to be saying that even though He’d gifted me with talents, I needed to hone those talents, invest years working to become the artist and writer I dreamed of being.
During these long years of becoming, I’ve often thought of Jesus’s words in the parable of the talents:
“…the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents.In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. –Matthew 25: 14-18
God graces us with talents but it’s up to us to work hard at the skills necessary to improve and share those talents with others.
When discouragement descends, I think about the faithful ones who invest time and energy into developing their talents. I marvel over the gifts they share with others.
Seasons of becoming are long with dream fulfillment only a distant mirage.
My Artist’s Prayer keeps me grateful for God’s provision along the way.
What are the talents the Lord has gifted you with?
What skills do you need to hone to improve them?
How do you dream of sharing them with the world?
I create resources to ignite creativity, overcome obstacles, and help you develop your God-given talents.
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JoDee Luna Art 