"Forget the former things;
       do not dwell on the past.
 See, I am doing a new thing!
       Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
       I am making a way in the desert
       and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18-19 (The foundational verse for SBE)
 
 
He is Doing a New Thing!
 
Dream. Plant. Water. Wait. Prune. Flower.
 
It is hard to believe that this ministry started just one year ago. So much has happened. God's gracious hand has done just those things in only twelve months! He led me to a new dream, planted the calling in my heart more firmly, watered each branch of the ministry so it could produce fruit, showed me the wisdom of waiting and then, gently, carefully asked me to trust Him as He pruned away a couple of things. Now we are getting ready for Infuse 2010: A Creativity Encounter, our first conference!
 
The blooms and leaves are those precious individuals He has touched. They will be the streams in the desert mentioned in Isaiah. While there aren't any real thorns or thistles, He helps us be on guard for pests and weeds that must be dealt with. He is growing the SBE garden His way which is the only way for me. Now I feel a stronger desire stirring in me to provide materials and resources that will help creatives grow more deeply in their love and knowledge of Him. Oh, Master Creator, how does your garden grow for an eternal harvest! Come shine your Son on this offering, that the workers and those who benefit may smell His sweet fragrance and taste and see that His fruit is good. All glory to the Expert Gardener. I eagerly anticipate all that You will do in the next twelve months.

Here in Colorado, Spring is a long time in coming. Sure, we have the variety of snow flurries and sun-drenched days within one week, but all still seems dormant save for the birds starting to chirp and stubby green spears starting to pierce the earthy blanket. And everyehere I look, it is very beige. I love color and need many more colors than just beige. I thrive on color. This is a very difficult season for me visually as a creative person.
 
God has been letting some desires of mine be somewhat dormant for a while now, but they are poking through the soil of hope into the atmosphere of reality.  I am cautiously optimistic yet my spirit can't help but get stirred up at the thought that things are starting to germinate.
 
When my friends think of me, I doubt "patient" comes to mind first. I love to jump in and get things started, then push to see them grow and bloom hot-house style. However, forcing results ahead of their time yields less than flavorful fruit.
 
Now I see the seedlings of the new ministry start to grow up and turn toward the Son in praise. There is a divine energy at work here, separate from anything I bring to the process. The prayers and willingness i laid out have been anointed by the Spirit, and are birthing opportunity.
 
As I walk in this garden that slumbers, I hear You call to me. "Child, slow down. Let me prune away the worthless and leave the eternal. Let Me grow this in My time and you just enjoy the growth process we are embarking on together. Remember, 'You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.'" (^{John 15:16 (NIV)} Remember that I am the Vine, you are the branch. As I grow the offering of this ministry, I also grow you. You will both be rooted and built up in Me."
 
Yes, Lord. Help me savor the working of the soil, the careful bathing of these seeds with care and petition. Help me thoroughly relish every moment of the growth that only Your Spirit can coax. Then, by the mystery of Your perfect timing and nurturing, let this offering flourish under Your hand and may I be blessed enough to witness the wonder of it, breathless. After all, You are the Master Gardener. You make all things beautiful in Your time.
Two storm fronts are about to hit each other here. The trick will be to remember that He is at work under the snow. His hand is at work in the beige winters of our lives.
 
 

Sometimes the biggest mountain in our path to doing what God wants us to is...us. Put that hand to the plow and don't look back. When it comes time to defend that work, take up the Sword of the Spirit and the shield of faith as well as the rest of the armor and ask God for a bountiful harvest though you can't see the seedlings sprout yet.
 
Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
 
 
 
 
 

After we had a snowball fight, my son had a blast sculpting a two and a half foot-long sculpture of Napoleon's chest, head and hat. He also made a fortress entirely out of snow. He said it was kind of hard not to laugh at Napoleon's chest which was big and bulky. He worked on both of these for two hours. He wantd me to post about the adventure. He wishes all of you a great snow day!
 

 

What do you do when creative dry spells and apathy set in? Do you push yourself to work anyway? 
Or, like Frost, do you take the road less traveled and does that make all the difference?
 
Perhaps if it is your job, you have no choice but to plod on muse-less and hope she'll still show up in the end product. You might be highly disciplined about your creative art and have determined to get to work on it each day whether inspiration strikes. If it is a hobby or ministry...what happens? Does it get squeezed into a closet no one sees for a while? Does it become a jealous love, making its presence known to you whenever you pass by in the daily rush of activity? What tricks do you use to get those juices flowing once more?