“Embracing Wonder”
Dear writer, I hope you had a good week and began to explore your unique expression! This week, we’re going to take a look at one particularly enjoyable ingredient that goes into developing your voice. That ingredient is inspiration.
You see, writer, we’re all inspired by something, whether it’s nature, great art, other cultures, or…you fill in the blank! But sometimes as adults, we—because of the pressures of life—turn off our “wonder” and our ability to simply rest and enjoy the things that inspire us. But here’s the good news. Reawakening our sense of wonder is as simple as giving ourselves permission to engage the world in the childlike way God designed us to once again.
Doesn’t that sound wonderful? I think so! But before we dive in, let’s take a look at some others who let their inspiration fuel the unique expression of their life’s work…
Inspiration in History
Michelangelo is a good example of a man who embraced his inspiration. As a young boy, Michelangelo took an interest in sculpture as he visited his father’s marble quarry. When we was sent to a humanist grammar school, he took no interest in his studies and instead sought the company of artists and observed the painting of churches. Seeing his natural inclinations, his father apprenticed Michelangelo to a famous painter, who worked often in the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo also sought the mentorship of a wealthy merchant to learn the art of sculpture.
When the death of his mentor sparked civil unrest, Michelangelo fled to a neighboring city, where he continued to pursue his inspiration in art and the church. In time, his talent caught the attention of the Vatican, and he began to paint and sculpt at the request Cardinals and was later commissioned by the Pope himself to paint a fresco at one end of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Inspired by the building, Michelangelo persuaded the Pope to give him freedom to paint the amazing story of man’s fall and God’s foretelling of redemption through the prophets. Because Michelangelo was willing to fiercely embrace his inspiration, he left behind not just the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, but many works that still awe and inspire today.
And here’s the thing, writer. Sometimes, like Michelangelo, we have to fight to pursue what inspires us. After all, Michelangelo could have simply submitted to the “normal” process of schooling and postponed his dreams until later. Or he could have allowed political unrest to thwart his goals. Instead, he persisted and saw amazing doors open as a result.
Inspiration in the Bible
David is another good example of a man who embraced inspiration. Captivated by the wonder and mystery of creation, the inspiration David drew from nature and its Creator imparted a deep reverence of the Lord that fueled a host of psalms and kept him from great error during his slow rise to the kingship. As King of Israel, that inspiration did not wane, and later inspired David to institute day and night worship in the tabernacle and to make preparation for the building of the temple.
You see, writer, when we choose to embrace our inspiration, like David, it will bleed over into every area of our lives. Just like David’s creation-inspired reverence of God affected everything he did.
Inspiration in Life
I first earnestly embraced inspiration as a teen, when I watched my first impactful Christian movie. In that moment I realized movies and stories were the one place people came without arguments or preconceived ideas and simply absorbed a world that would change them. I quickly began to study the art and craft of film and story to develop its skills. And here’s the interesting thing.
When God called me from my work and to write as a first step “toward movies,” my goal to make a story that would translate well into film someday spurred my desire to make that story accessible—and avoid the heavy descriptions that bog “non-readers” down and land on a cutting room floor anyway! As a result, the stories God led me to write have reached a much wider demographic than most modern fantasies, and I am so grateful that—among other things—He used my calling to film to shape that unique expression. An expression that led not only to two books, but birthed a conference that inspires and equips others.
Inspiration in Your Life
Sometimes an inspiration may seem lofty or “too far beyond” us or oddly disconnected from our “daily” life. But here’s thing. You can never tell how God intends to use those inspirations to shape your voice. But as we embrace those things that inspire us, it absolutely shapes our voice in unique and unexpected ways. Let me show you…
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- Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. – Psalm 37:4
- …then I [Wisdom] was beside him [God], like a master workman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man. – Proverbs 8:30-31
- Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. – Philippians 4:8
Did you catch that, writer? Even Jesus Himself, the wisdom of God and the executor of His creation, rejoiced over the world He created and daily delighted in the children of men. In fact, even after our fall, He embraced that inspiration all the way to the cross—to see the full restoration of that original beauty oneness with Him. And here’s the thing, writer…
Embracing inspiration is learning to rejoice in those things God has made. It’s about actively engaging in and celebrating the masterful beauty and wisdom of our God wherever it captures us…in nature, in people, in every good expression of His created world and of the men that live in it. Because here’s the other thing…
Embracing inspiration is about learning to worship the Lord in every area of life by fully enjoying the good gifts He’s given. As we do, it grows and expands us and births inspiration in others, too.
Where to Start with Inspiration
So are you ready to begin embracing what inspires you? Here are a few things to get you started…
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- Give Yourself Permission. One of the best ways to begin embracing inspiration is simply to give yourself permission to do so. Remember, God did not create us to be automatons. One of the greatest ways to honor Him is by enjoying His gifts. I encourage you to make an intentional choice to rid yourself of false guilt or responsibility that might keep you from enjoying those things that inspire you. Know that enjoying His gifts is one of the key ways we honor Him.
- Make a List. Some of us might need to wake up our buried desires, while others might seem to have so many inspirations it’s simply overwhelming. In either case, prayerfully daydream and list some of life’s most inspiring moments and some of its most energizing and refreshing occasions and activities. Write down those things that fuel your spirit and soul. Pick the top 2-3 to really begin exploring more deeply.
- Make a Date. Sometimes it can be helpful to simply make a “date” with yourself, with friends, or even with the Lord, to go and explore that thing that inspires you. Because here’s the thing. As we learn more about what inspire us, we tend to gain deeper insight into life the world, and create an opportunity for the best kind of learning. The learning that comes through “play.”
- Create Space. Let’s take that last idea one step further. I encourage you to schedule some regular time, weekly or monthly to invest in what inspires you. Whether it’s an hour to research what you love, some time get outside and enjoy nature, or an evening try a new activity with family or friends, find a way to put something into your schedule. These don’t necessarily need to be “big” things. Small but consistent action goes a long way. Because here’s the thing…
Unless you intentionally take time to embrace inspiration, life will often snatch it away—or try to! If you think about it, Michelangelo could have let school, the death or his mentor, or civil unrest steal his dreams. David could have easily succumbed to self-pity or self-vindication during his long years of fleeing Saul. I could have easily decided film was “too big” to pursue and missed several formative experiences that have shaped me as I journey toward my goal. Because here’s the real deal…
Learning to embrace inspiration is about learning to enter into the rest of God that enables you to look outside your current set of circumstances. It’s about restoring your sense of wonder in every good gift that He has given and that men—through His gifting—have made. It’s about restoring a sense of gratitude that allows us to see how God, the all-in-all, fills every part of life. Not just church on Sundays. Because here’s the thing…
We become like what we worship, and when pursue what encountering God in what inspires us, we gain a deeper understanding of our multi-faceted, infinitely beautiful and wise Creator that shapes the way we think and act, reflecting a bit of Him in a way the world has never seen it before. Just like with Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. Just like with David’s worship-filled legacy. Just like with my books which have launched so much more. And here’s the final thought…
If you notice, David and Michelangelo’s willingness to wholeheartedly embrace those things that inspired them birthed a new expression of beauty an truth that have resounded throughout the generation inspiring countless others. Because here is the most amazing thing of all. Vision sparks vision. And passion sparks passion. And as we allow God to use our inspirations to shape us, we can become a match that ignites inspiration to others, too.
So I encourage you today, writer, not to view those things that inspire you as frivolous, but as one of the beautiful ways God has designed you to experience Him and to enjoy His rest. Whether it’s sunsets, the French Riviera, Indian cuisine, or some other thing entirely, I encourage you to find a way to jump in! There is a treasure waiting inside—a unique piece of Himself He wants to share with and through you, too.
#inspiration #worship #wonder #good #beautiful #true #EveryWriterWriting
