Voice and the Artist
God spoke and it all began. His voice set all that He envisioned in motion. He had the ability to lay foundations by the sound of His voice. But there was activity attached to what He spoke. A special style guide is present in His creation. He set boundaries, chose color schemes, thought about function and beauty. To this day, mankind is fascinated by the outcome of God’s creative expression. And He continues to create. What many people puzzle over is how distinct, sustainable, and fitted together like a puzzle nature is. I’m sure that most people attribute certain creative laws and similarities to evolution. Believers in the fame of God’s character know that His finger is on all of it and that it is His creative voice being seen and heard, plainly.
I think the creative person understands this in a unique, though lesser way. Whether you are a writer, producer, or craftsman, the more you create a body of work the easier it is to see your hand in it. Artists, authors, designers, any person that makes something understands that they are making something in their own unique way. It has all been done before, but the expression of each maker has a way of being new. This personal way of creating something new is called a signature style. God took six days to create all that is in that motion. It can take the artist years, perhaps a lifetime.
The difficulty of finding your voice or signature style is that it takes so long. We can’t plan it or force it. It simply arises out of the art practice. We need a safe place and time of consistent exploration, attempts, and application. This consistency is key because the more consistent we are practicing our craft, the more we will gravitate to certain qualities which later become more recognizable. The more you create, the more you write, etc. the easier it is to see a common thread or theme. When you have created enough, step back from it and see it as a whole. It’s probable that you will see a pattern and a motif.
In fact, we can step back and analyze events from our lives and see a creative pattern. Sometimes it’s easier to see the pattern of brokenness, but look through a new lens and I hope you will see God’s hand in your life. He’s not done with you yet. Furthermore, Jesus said, “I go and prepare a place for you.” I wonder how His signature style is at work this time! If the earth fascinates us now in its state of fallenness, how much more will we be captivated by His glorified new place?
In the meantime, let us reflect Him and continue to create. Let us do the work, rely on our practice to show us our voice, and enjoy the process. He is part of our journey and we will begin to see His hand in our practice as well.
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:13-14
