I heard something last week that struck me. Someone said,
“The way to avoid the trap of mediocrity is to do something that you think may not work.”
In our creative journeys, we often face the temptation to settle for mediocrity, staying within the bounds of what feels safe and achievable. Staying in the place of safety feels good at the time on one hand, but the unrealized dreams and growing regrets within slowly eat away at us. True success and greatness demand that we step out in faith, embracing the fear of failure. One of the most compelling biblical examples of this is the story of Nehemiah, who undertook the seemingly insurmountable task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.
Taking risks is an inherent part of achieving greatness. When we dare to attempt what seems impossible, we open ourselves up to remarkable possibilities. But it also means facing the fear of failure head-on. Spend even just a modicum of time reading biographies of people who have accomplished admirable things or have created things that have lasted, and you’ll see at least one significant and undeniable common thread: There was at least one significant risk that they chose to accept in order to have the chance to make a difference or achieve greatness. This isn’t a plea for foolhardy recklessness—there are many of those examples throughout history. Instead, this is calling us to not ignore the risks like fools but to acknowledge and calculate the greatness that we want to achieve, the greatness of the God who is beckoning us in that direction. Does the greatness of your calling and the One doing the calling outweigh the potential risks that you see in the direction you are being summoned? One of the great things about asking this question before moving is that it helps us take a beat and clarify the call. Not every goal, no matter how big, is worth the risk. Nothing of significance is ever achieved without facing those risks head-on and persevering in the face of opposition. Nehemiah’s story is a testament to this truth.
Vision and Burden
Nehemiah’s journey began with a burden. Upon hearing the news of Jerusalem’s desolate state, he was deeply moved. He mourned, fasted, and prayed, seeking God’s guidance (Nehemiah 1:4-11). This vision and burden were the driving forces behind his courageous undertaking.
While any number of creative ideas can be moving, the ones that God truly stirs within us are transformative. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take a leap into whatever your next creative dream is, but it does mean that if you know God is inspiring it and calling you into it, there shouldn’t be a version of you not taking the leap. Take some time with God in prayer, seeking His wisdom and guidance to gain the clarity needed to confidently move forward.
For Nehemiah, it was clear that the vision and burden to rebuild the wall that would significantly increase the way God’s people could defend themselves came directly from God.
Boldness and Risk
Approaching King Artaxerxes to request permission to rebuild the walls was a significant risk. This could’ve gone terribly bad, but we must remember that when God orders something, He provides the authority for that to be accomplished. As followers of Christ, we must know that as we walk according to the Spirit, we have the authority of God moving with us. So while Christ-centered creatives may have the authority of God, they often don’t have the boldness that should come along with that truth. That is one of the core encouragements of this blog post. Recognize who you are in Christ and the authority that gives you as you move forward in any endeavor you believe He calls you to. Nehemiah’s boldness and the king’s favorable response illustrate the importance of boldly taking calculated risks (Nehemiah 2:1-8). Calculate the risks, but don’t forget to include the unstoppable authority of God in your math.
Planning and Strategy
Nehemiah inspected the walls at night to develop a strategic plan. His meticulous approach ensured he was well-prepared for the task ahead (Nehemiah 2:11-16). Too often, bold Christians get it wrong by moving forward boldly but not bringing wisdom with them. It was the boldness gained in prayer and the recognition of his authority given by God that began this great achievement, but it was his continued reliance on Him and the intelligence that God gave him that helped him make strategic moves that would continue to increase the probability of success in the face of what could’ve been something deemed unachievable. God’s Word says man will make plans, but the Lord will order his steps. Don’t forget that part of the sentence involves man making plans. As you move, offer God your best plan and then let Him order your steps.
Facing Opposition
Throughout the rebuilding process, Nehemiah faced intense opposition from Sanballat, Tobiah, and others who tried to discourage and intimidate him. Despite these challenges, Nehemiah’s resolve never wavered (Nehemiah 4:1-23). Don’t be fooled into thinking that if it is truly of God, it will be smooth sailing. You can almost be assured that if it is of God, all of the forces that oppose God will now also oppose you. Be prepared to face opposition and pre-decide that you will not quit, but instead with resilience born of the Spirit, you will persevere. There will be voices that you believed were for you, as well as those that you recognize as enemies, that will work against you to convince you that your undertaking isn’t valuable or that you are wasting your time. There will be distractions of all sorts that will try and pull you off course, even if for a moment. Nehemiah had challenges from others in his community, as well as voices like Tobiah and Sanballat, who played this role in his story. He responded to the attempts at distraction with confidence and wisdom: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” (Nehemiah 6:3)
There is also the simple reality of the challenges inherent in your creative calling or task. It won’t be easy to create something new or change something broken. Anything worth doing right is worth getting wrong over and over again as long as you have determined that you will not quit until the wrong is made right. After how many attempts should you finally decide to quit? Only after the successful attempt.
Continuous Prayer and Dependence on God
Nehemiah’s story is punctuated with prayers, reflecting his constant dependence on God’s guidance and strength (Nehemiah 6:9). This doesn’t work without the power of God. Our achievements will fall flat or lack fulfillment if they are attempted without God. Apart from God, we can do nothing (John 15:5).
We must stay connected and dependent on God in prayer throughout our creative journey.
WE Can Do This
Despite numerous obstacles, Nehemiah and the people completed the wall in fifty-two days. This incredible achievement was a testament to their collective resilience and God’s provision (Nehemiah 6:15-16). If God called you to it, lean into Him and the community He’s blessed you with and press forward until completion. If you are currently doing life without people by your side, prioritize community. Let that be your first goal to face and persevere until success. God made us to be an us. WE can achieve much greater things together than we can apart.
I have been struggling through the completion of a documentary that I’ve been working on for over a year. The truth is, I am facing and struggling to push through many of the fears I discuss here. However, recently folks in my community have spoken into my journey and encouraged me forward, offering practical solutions like leaning on others to help get this done.
Don’t discount the value of community in accomplishing your creative calling.
6 Steps Forward
1. Start with a Vision: Like Nehemiah, begin with a clear vision and a burden for what you’re called to create. Let this vision drive you forward, even when the path is difficult.
2. Take Bold Steps:
Take bold steps, trusting God to open doors and provide the resources you need. Don’t be afraid to take risks for your vision.
3. Strategically Plan:
Plan diligently. Assess your situation, identify challenges, and develop a strategic approach to achieve your goals.
4. Be Resilient in the Face of Opposition:
Be prepared for opposition. Whether it’s external critics or internal doubts, stay focused and resilient. Draw strength from prayer and community support.
5. Depend on God:
Maintain a constant connection with God through prayer. Let His guidance and strength be your foundation.
6. Celebrate Success:
When you achieve your goals, take time to celebrate and acknowledge God’s hand in your success. Use it as a testimony of faith and perseverance.
Throughout history, many Christian leaders and creatives have taken bold risks to achieve greatness. Think of George Müller, who trusted God to provide for thousands of orphans in 19th-century England without ever asking for donations. His faith and resilience led to miraculous provisions. Another example is William Wilberforce, whose relentless campaign against the British slave trade was fraught with opposition and setbacks, yet he persevered for decades until the abolition of slavery was achieved. Likewise, Corrie ten Boom faced immense dangers while hiding Jews during World War II, demonstrating unshakable faith and resilience. Their stories, much like Nehemiah’s, remind us that resilience and boldness are crucial ingredients for success.
“The way to avoid the trap of mediocrity is to do something that you think may not work.”
Nehemiah’s story teaches us that greatness requires resilience, strategic planning, and unwavering
faith. By embracing the fear of failure and stepping out in boldness, we can achieve what seems impossible. Reflect on your own creative journey. Where can you take a bold step today?
Let us determine that we will not settle for just okay, fine, or good enough. Let us apply our best and most creative ideas that God himself has birthed in us. Together, WE CAN CREATE A FUTURE THAT IS BEAUTIFUL!
Originially blogged at: https://orderedchaosclub.com/2024/07/the-path-to-creative-greatness/