Stretch

It’s Friday, and if you’re new here, welcome to Five Minute Fridays. Lisa-Jo hosts this beautiful link up and chooses the prompt. The rules are simple. Write. Don’t edit. Publish. Encourage. Join us?

Today’s prompt is Stretch. Go. It started when she emailed asking for a guest post and mentioned my photography as part of the post. And then within that same week, she sends me a bold message telling me in essence to own what I do, when I play with my camera–to remove that word, “wannabe”.

These nudges out of nowhere stretch me in a way I wasn’t thinking about–hadn’t even considered, really.

I feel safe saying I’m not alone in finding it difficult to wear some labels honestly.

Because I feel so much like an impostor most of the time.

But I agree with the idea that if you do something, then it’s ok to say that you are that thing. I teach, I’m a teacher. I raise children, I’m a mom.

We don’t seem to wrestle with the obvious ones, the ones that people can’t wager an opinion on. I drive, I’m a driver. I read, I’m a reader–but with art it’s different.

We’re waiting for that qualifier. And what if it doesn’t come in the form we’re hoping for–what then? Are we no longer truthful in calling ourselves a writer, a painter, a photographer, a poet? I hope not.

What if God calls us to an art purely for His pleasure, and not for the stamp of approval of the world–will we own it?

Will we stretch to wear that robe that feels awkward and stolen?

I’ve said that calling myself a writer, or a photographer, even though I do both of those things, feels a bit like wearing a dress I can’t afford while pretending I can. I love the way it looks, I want to wear it well, but I don’t always feel worthy of it, and I feel like others might see me in it and frown at my foolish dress-up game.

I tell you what–if you get this– if you feel this way too, wear it any way.

King Jesus picked it out for you and you can’t afford it, but He can and it’s all yours. So own it. Glorify Him in it and when someone asks you where you got it, point them in the direction of the kingdom.

He’s got one with their name on it too. 

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive and inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24

Stop.

Joining Lisa-Jo and fabulous others for a five minute write. Join us?

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