In this third and last post based on A Million Little Ways by Emily P. Freeman I’m including my favourite quotations about the obstacles we face when we set out to “uncover the art [we] were made to live.”
The first question we have to ask ourselves is, what do I have to offer to others? Some of my answers are food for those who are sick or grieving, an open home for those who need a place to meet or rest, parties for those who have a reason (any reason!) to celebrate, books for those who want a heartfelt recommendation, blog posts for those looking for historical resources or trivia, handmade quilts for my babies, photos of my family for far-flung relatives, well-chosen gifts for my best friends…
Next we have to take a hard look at what stops us from uncovering, creating, or sharing these things. For me it might be embarrassment at my messy home or a recipe that didn’t turn out, the financial cost (why, oh, why am I so stingy sometimes?), fear of what others think of me, mismanaged time and energy.
Thankfully, Emily’s book provides lots of food for thought and passages to nudge us in the right direction.
“You are art and you make art, but you are not your art. You are God’s art. As you continue to embrace the Spirit of Christ in you, as you continue to bend your ear toward the deep desires of your heart, trust that God is intuitive enough to move in and through you no matter your fear or insecurity.”
“Befriend narrow limits. Let them be a reminder to you that your work and your art are impossible without divine resources. You can do nothing on your own anyway. Be relieved to show up with all of your love as well as your insecurity, your skill as well as your fear. Show up in the world and be who you already are.… And when people say, The sky’s the limit! implying there is limitless potential and you can do anything you set your mind to, remember that’s simply not true, and if it were true, I’m not sure it would be a good thing. When it comes to your influence and your ability to effect change, something has to be the limit other than the sky. Identify what those things are, set your own boundaries, and leave room for your soul to breathe.”
“If I say I’m a believer (and I am) and if I believe the Bible is true (and I do), then I have already died to that old life, the one that gropes and clings to the assurance and acceptance the world has to offer.”
“So what is really going on? It’s the question you have to ask yourself when the words of the critic sting. Look further down than you’ve looked before until you get to the most basic level of your pain. For me, it’s this: Even after all the growing up I’ve done, I want to please man more than I want to trust God. The bottom line is, I am a glory hog. I don’t want to reflect the image of God, I want to embody it. And that is why I fear the critics. It’s because they say out loud what I most fear in my heart. They remind me that I am not God after all.”
Love the quote and the questions you ask yourself! I think I might make a list of my own today.