I’ve been reading a book on musicianship called Effortless Mastery, and he talks about these spiritual concepts as well, giving up yourself and letting the gods takeover. You blended this concept with proper theology, and that was the missing piece for me on this, thank you for this.
Some good thoughts here. It's sometimes difficult to know when discipline becomes addiction, and when rest becomes laziness. But I heartily agree that prayer is a major part of what helps.
"Creating requires deep work — you gotta read books, you gotta think big thoughts, you gotta synthesize ideas and images and concepts — and to do deep work, well, we need to minimize the distractions." Yes! I'd add one more thing: creating takes TIME. Which, of course, doesn't happen in 30 sec reads and clicks, as you so well describe. It happens when I choose to arrive to school carpool 15 minutes early and don't listen to a podcast or music but just sit with the A/C blowing like ice on my arms and let thoughts swirl and maybe even pop… into a new thought, a new line in my next article, or a new way to explain something to my daughter. Time. It's precious… and not just in the syrupy way moms use it to get nostalgic about the toddler years that are gone in a flash. Time… a God-given resource for creativity.
“Our culture places a premium on productivity; the more you produce the better you are, as a person, I mean.” This!
Being a productive machine (especially for God) is celebrated in the ministry world. Or at least in the ministry circles I worked in. Slowness and receiving seem forgotten, and TikTok preachers have replaced true wisdom.
There is something haunting in the way you describe beauty as born from silence rather than speed. It makes me wonder how much of what we call art today is only noise dressed in colors. If creation is meant to be a kind of listening, then perhaps the true artist is less a maker and more a witness, tending the fragile space where presence becomes form. Your words leave me asking..how much beauty have we missed simply because we refused to be still long enough to see it?
"If you want to Feast on Beauty you must Fast From Noise." This is so true! Making this my phone's wallpaper as a reminder to turn out of the virtual and try to tune in to what is REAL. Thank you for this Josh!
"...she was saying that learning to say no to the rapid fire proclamations of every pain, every joy, every celebration, and every horror on social media has allowed her to say yes to the very real people in her community."
This—and the whole conclusion helped me put to words what I'm experiencing on sabbatical. Thank you.
Thank you for the reminders. This piece feels like a call to artistic revival and I am here for it (though need to spend some time in prayer about my own need for more fasting to feast)
This line: “All I had to do was slow down and shut up long enough to contemplate the wonder of God, and then, slowly, through scaled eyes and plugged ears, begin to perceive the Glory shining through.” —- I can totally relate!
I’ve been reading a book on musicianship called Effortless Mastery, and he talks about these spiritual concepts as well, giving up yourself and letting the gods takeover. You blended this concept with proper theology, and that was the missing piece for me on this, thank you for this.
Funny that, how theology proper makes all things make sense
So true. How do you make the balance of the reality that creators nowadays practically need a consistent social media presence to make money?
This life giving and spirit filled message has arrived just in time for a much needed soul exhale. Beautiful. Thank you.
Glad it was a help.
Some good thoughts here. It's sometimes difficult to know when discipline becomes addiction, and when rest becomes laziness. But I heartily agree that prayer is a major part of what helps.
That’s the hardest part about any of these topics : the majority of the answers come through matured wisdom.
What is Good one day may not be the very next — and learning to answer “WHY?” is vital to our growth.
Mmhm. I think that's an excellent point. "What" isn't the question, but "Why."
"Creating requires deep work — you gotta read books, you gotta think big thoughts, you gotta synthesize ideas and images and concepts — and to do deep work, well, we need to minimize the distractions." Yes! I'd add one more thing: creating takes TIME. Which, of course, doesn't happen in 30 sec reads and clicks, as you so well describe. It happens when I choose to arrive to school carpool 15 minutes early and don't listen to a podcast or music but just sit with the A/C blowing like ice on my arms and let thoughts swirl and maybe even pop… into a new thought, a new line in my next article, or a new way to explain something to my daughter. Time. It's precious… and not just in the syrupy way moms use it to get nostalgic about the toddler years that are gone in a flash. Time… a God-given resource for creativity.
Yes yes yes ! Time. Secret time
“Our culture places a premium on productivity; the more you produce the better you are, as a person, I mean.” This!
Being a productive machine (especially for God) is celebrated in the ministry world. Or at least in the ministry circles I worked in. Slowness and receiving seem forgotten, and TikTok preachers have replaced true wisdom.
Thanks for sharing this.
So glad you enjoyed it !
Not pulling any punches with this Josh - great stuff and a true challenge to us all.
It’s a big hit to self, too, my friend.
Yes, that came through. Which is why I think the whole piece ultimately lands really well.
Phew. Never wanna be a condescending, sanctimonious, ass. And it’s too easy when it comes to “creative” talk.
Not at all, my friend.
Also, when are we going to chat about fiction and Inkwell? I think we can create some magic together 🤘
dude -- send me your number i have plans
sweet - dm'd you
Josh, this post was very freeing for us creators. Thanks for sharing the good work!
This is excellent! I needed it, thank you so much.
There is something haunting in the way you describe beauty as born from silence rather than speed. It makes me wonder how much of what we call art today is only noise dressed in colors. If creation is meant to be a kind of listening, then perhaps the true artist is less a maker and more a witness, tending the fragile space where presence becomes form. Your words leave me asking..how much beauty have we missed simply because we refused to be still long enough to see it?
It’s a great question. I think our taste for beauty has been soured. Or maybe, we’ve lost the flavour for it.
"If you want to Feast on Beauty you must Fast From Noise." This is so true! Making this my phone's wallpaper as a reminder to turn out of the virtual and try to tune in to what is REAL. Thank you for this Josh!
"...she was saying that learning to say no to the rapid fire proclamations of every pain, every joy, every celebration, and every horror on social media has allowed her to say yes to the very real people in her community."
This—and the whole conclusion helped me put to words what I'm experiencing on sabbatical. Thank you.
Music to my ears!
Reading this, out in the pasture, in the twilight, on my phone....made me realize I have a ways to go yet
Thank you for the reminders. This piece feels like a call to artistic revival and I am here for it (though need to spend some time in prayer about my own need for more fasting to feast)
PHENOMENAL writing!
Thank you !
This line: “All I had to do was slow down and shut up long enough to contemplate the wonder of God, and then, slowly, through scaled eyes and plugged ears, begin to perceive the Glory shining through.” —- I can totally relate!
Crazy right ? It’s such a constant experience for the modern age, it seems.