Asking God for Safe Dreams and Art Inspiration
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Some mornings I wake up with a song in my head like a light background music. This morning it was one line “ the King of Love my shepherd is”. I didn’t know this was a classic hymn because the tune in my head sounded like the chorus or a bridge in a modern song. Even humming it to a friend on Facebook didn’t help find the title. Maybe I heard it in a Worship mash-up, who knows.
I’ve been trying to find the inspiration and energy to paint and take advantage of this so-called “extra” time, which isn’t really extra, as an artist. I’ve hardly painted for weeks, so yes, this whole situation has been getting to me. I constantly ask God for inspiration, focus, wisdom, and the faith to take action in all of it…then I still don’t want to paint or art anything. Sure, this time some images popped in to my head but they weren’t paintings. I couldn’t make reproductions of them, like prints, and they reminded me of projects I’ve put aside and so I felt guilty and didn’t do either project.
This made me realize I’ve been asking for “safe” dreams. “Give me inspiration, God, but not inspiration for that.” I wanted to control it; a dream small enough to control and choose and yet be spiritually blessed with it’s outcome. Huh.
“Give me the energy to do your will with change left over for what I want.”
Don’t let it remind me of shortcomings or pet sins.
What dreams or inspirations are we scared of? Are we really scared of the ones where we are asked to make huge life changes: a glorious sacrifice and (oddly visible) dramatic results?
Or are we afraid we might be asked to stay put and do the dishes? To take out the trash, do the laundry, and have nothing change in our lives but ourselves? I’m scared of being stuck in the never-ending daily grind of…monotony!!!
“God,” I said, “I’m terrified that this is it.” This constant struggle to get a foothold in my career (I’m taking the setback of all of these cancelled events rather hard). The constant monotony of daily life that wears away my body and hope and energy. Fruitless, constantly thwarted efforts. Is this what life is?
I knew there was something wrong here. Yes, there is a constant struggle: but it is not mine, it is spiritual. There was a lie in all of this and that passage where Jesus said “I have come to so that they may have life and have life to the fullest.” popped into my head.
“9 I am the Door; anyone who enters through Me will be saved [and will live forever], and will go in and out [freely], and find pasture (spiritual security). 10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].
11 I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His [own] life for the sheep.”
John 10:9-11 Amplified Bible (AMP)
“ 33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] “
John 16:33 Amplified Bible (AMP)
The King of Love My Shepherd Is.
