Only You Can Do It

By Charlotte Lowrie

In my work as a photographer and writer, I almost always compare my photographs and my writing to other photographers and writers work. As a result, what is considered to be good, what is thought of as "the best" becomes a moving target depending on what or who is currently in vogue. 

In a recent conversation with the Lord, He told me something that I think is important to share with everyone. 

Here is what He said.

"Do not compare yourself to others. I did not make you to be them. I made you to be you. 

"Only you can do what I created you to do." 

All that's left to be said is, amen and amen and amen.

Encouraging Your Creativity

By Charlotte Lowrie

Some of the most popular posts on this Web site are those that focus on creativity. That’s not surprising to me because creativity is one of our natural connections with God. He is, after all, the Master Creator, and he instilled within us the need and desire to be creative. Thus, creativity is really an awakening of what God instilled within us.

Our work is not only to encourage and express our creativity, but also to avoid blocking creativity. There are many ways to block creativity, and some of the ways are inherent in the very process of being creative.

A pathway shaded by splendid fall maple trees. 

The primary creativity block is the desire to follow the crowd, as I mentioned in an earlier article. But this block deserves a second mention. When we follow the crowd, we seek the approval of the crowd rather than seeking the approval of the Lord. And the Lord’s approval is the only approval that matters. If you have worked with the Spirit of the Lord guiding your work, then you likely know the moments when the Lord provides an idea or technique. It's those moments when you know immediately that what He has given you is “just perfect.” Those are the blessed creative moments that we seek in all of our work.

Ultimately, regardless of what our creative work is, we can only imitate what God first created. But as the Lord reminded me, “Through imitation, you learn of Me.”

In whatever we create, we must be certain that it it is 'alive.' This seems like a strange statement, and it’s best explained by thinking of doing something over and over again. For example, updating a base-level book multiple times eventually becomes a life-less task. When we recognize the lifelessness of the task, it is a sure sign that it’s time to do something new—something that is alive. The Lord reminded me that “Nothing is dead and lifeless in the heavenlies. It is all alive.”

Another way to block creativity is by rejecting what our imagination creates. The imagination is our inborn creative channel. We tend to be harsh judges, especially of ideas that are much different from the earthly norm. Plus when we censor and reject ideas, we are judging by earthly standards. Instead, remember that we have the DNA of God within us, and what we reject, He may recognize as being worthwhile. When we reject our imaginative ideas, we close the door to our creative channel.

Every day, your life is a blank canvas waiting for you to create what is good and pleasing to the Lord. Nothing is impossible with God, so you can create whatever you can dream. Your only limits are self-imposed. 

Dream God-worthy dreams and trust Him to supply all that you need. His arm is not too short. 

Creativity and the Daily Walk, Part II

By Charlotte Lowrie

I continue to seek greater creative expression in my work. And in my daily walk with the Lord, I ask for insight and guidance on being creative. And the Lord often reveals more about the source and expression of creativity.

Here are some of the latest notes on creativity from my prayer journal.

"I instilled [creativity] in you from the beginning. It is from Me, and within you. Give it space and time. [Creativity] must be nurtured, allowed to breathe—to have breath. It cannot live otherwise. Breath is life in all things. Let it breath. Do not crowd out your creativity with too many thoughts. Our creativity works together—what I’ve instilled in you, and what I inspire you with. That is how the gift works."

"Through the gift of creativity, the creative process on earth continues beyond the [original] creation, for you are my agents. I work through you if you answer the call."

"The [creative] expression is yours. The Source is Me. You have the nuances of expression, and the content is Mine. [Creativity] flows from Me to you. Accept it. Expect it. Embrace it. Look for it every day."

The Lord has cautioned me to not block creativity. Following the crowd—following the popular trends of whatever creative endeavor we’re involved in, can block creativity. Instead, the Lord encourages us to seek His approval rather than approval from the others. "Don't focus on others; focus on what you can do, and do it well. You know what you do well…cultivate your uniqueness."

And for anyone who looks at what the Lord has created, this note will not be a surprise. "There is beauty in all [that I create]. Beauty and function co-exist in perfect harmony."

Creativity and the Daily Walk

By Charlotte Lowrie

Because I’m a writer and because I’m a photographer, I often think about creativity, and specifically about how creativity relates to my walk with the Lord. I’ve asked the Lord for insights and teachings on creativity. He faithfully provides teachings at the perfect time and in the perfect way.

Is there anyone better to teach creativity than the Great Creator of the universe? I think not. It is humbling to think that the greatest Creator ever would take time to teach anyone, much less me, but He does.

By way of background, the concept of “chance” has no place in my life. Rather, a finely tuned knowingness alerts me to the slightest whisper of the Holy Spirit as He brushes by touching each moment with His wisdom and leading. It’s the Spirit who tells me to look up to discover a new perspective or a new idea. It’s the Spirit who tells me to go left instead of right to discover the best light for the next image. It’s the Spirit who uncovers sweet secrets that I'd otherwise miss.

I’ll share some of the teaching and insights that I’ve received so far. I hope that this is only the beginning of the teachings. Note that in some cases, I’m taking the teachings and insights out of the context of a specific situation or a longer conversation; but for the sake of brevity, I’ll provide the brief version.

“You have to believe that there is a new song hanging in the air around. You only need ears to hear it.” I believe that heaven is filled with music, literally overflowing with music. And I believe that much of that music is, indeed, flowing around us as we walk in the Kingdom on earth. We only have to ask for Kingdom ears to hear the divine symphony.

“Creativity is not random chaos. Rather there is beauty in orderly structure. Structure is part of all creative things.”

“It is your vision of what can be from what exists that’s creative.”

“Habit inhibits creativity. If you travel the same road every day, you see the same things, and your senses become dulled. Take a new way. See new things. Open your eyes to what is around you. Be aware of My voice and My leading.

I hope to add to this article in coming weeks. If you have insights to share, I'd love to hear from you. Just drop me an e-mail or respond to this article.

Celebrating His Presence

His voice whispers in every living thing.

In every seed that breaks forth,
In every wind that blows,
In every mountain pushing up to the sky,
His signature is beauty and majesty.
From Him all beauty, purity, and knowledge flow.

This Is the Day the Lord Has Made

Open for me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter and give thanks to
the Lord.

This is the gate of the Lord

through which the righteous may enter.

I will give you thanks, for you

answered me;

you have become my salvation.

The stone the builders rejected

has become the capstone;

the Lord has done this,

and it is marvelous in our eyes.

This is the day the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalms: 118: 17-24 (NIV)

The Greatest Writer of All Times

As a writer, I truly appreciate fine, lyrical, masterful writing. In years and years of reading and writing, I've never read more beautiful writing than the words of God found in Job 38-42. If you want to be lifted up to the heights, read these books of Job and know that God is the Master Writer of all times.

In Job, God challenges our assumptions with Divine insight, with startling imagery that is often beyond our imagination, and yet, with imagery that tantilizes our imagination.

We glimpse God as the All-Knowing Creator of the universe, and all in His own words. How marvelous is that?

I'll share a few verses from Job. In these passages, God is speaking to Job out of a storm. Job has just lost all of his worldly wealth, all of his sons and daughters, and now Job is covered with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Job's friends offer counsel, but God has the last word. Here are some of the words God spoke to Job.

"Can you bind the beautiful Pleiades?

Can you Loose the cords of Orion?

Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons
or lead out the Bear with its cubs?

Do you know the laws of the heavens?

Can you set up God's dominion over the earth?

Can you raise your voice to the clouds

and cover yourself with a flood of water?

Do you send the lightning bolts on their way?

Do they report to you, 'Here we are?'

Who endowed the heart with wisdom

or gave understanding to the mind?

Who has the wisdom to count the clouds?

Who can tip over the water jars of the heavens

when the dust becomes hard and the clods of earth stick together?"

. . . Job 38:31-38 (NIV)

He Is with Us, Whether or Not We Pay Attention

Recently, I went out to photograph a snowy landscape. As I futzed with the camera controls, the Lord silently positioned the clouds across the sun to create a brilliant, horizontal ray of sunlight that reached precisely to the tip of the snow-covered tree that I was photographing. I didn't notice the light ray until I processed the image on my computer. And there it was, the finger of God as a ray of light reaching across the sky to light the tree top. As with other times, I failed to see His touch until later. When I saw the ray of light and the perfect shaping of the clouds around the tree, I knew that He had been there with me--as always, faithful to reveal His majesty.

The Lord is always there, whether or not we pay attention.

For example, look at the slender fir branch holding a chunk of snow two or three times its own weight. If you look closely, you see that God creates the perfect tension, the perfect balance of weight, temperature, and position to defy the laws of gravity.

And if the Lord can do this with trees and snow, how much more can He create a perfect balance in our lives?