Art of Slaying Monsters

 

by Tina Yeager

 

“I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 

to make artistic designs” (Exodus 31:3-4, NIV).

 

My pastor friend sipped her decaf and asked, “What’s going on in your world?”

I downed another third of my venti cappuccino. My stubborn fatigue refused to lift. Deflating with a sigh, I shrank into the leather club chair as I listed the imposing tasks blocking my way onward. Activities required for a serious writing career sneered like giants I remained ill equipped to conquer.

“The mental shift from one project to another is tough,” I told her. Because I wanted to believe the problem was just that simple.

But my fatigue, the overwhelming tasks, and all the sluggish work days this week represented more than that, I later realized.

My real obstacle had a deeper voice and heavier footsteps than a mere transition issue. An old, recurring fear growled at me from the crossroads of familiar and never-done-before.

The worrisome beast folded his gruesome arms and snarled, “You don’t have what it takes.”

I considered yielding, as I had so many times in the past. The insecurity monster had waylaid me for weeks, even months, and halted all progress.

This time, I approached him with a taut smile and a sharp sword. “You’re right. I don’t have what it takes … on my own.” I pointed my blade at insecurity’s caving chest. “But I’ll do it anyway. As with all His appointed artists, the Spirit equips me when I obey Him.”

God calls mere mortals to create in the desert. To tether His people to their Lord through art. So many tasks in this challenging journey could discourage us. Truly, we can accomplish nothing of value on our own. Yet despite the wilderness of venti-resistant fatigue, the Spirit renews us with “all kinds of skills.” He empowers us to press on toward God-sized destinies and fulfill potential He alone could imagine.

Lord, thank You for pouring the power of Your Spirit into my word-calling. Center my mind on Your ability instead of mine. And grant me both the wisdom and courage to press onward no matter what stands in the road before me. In Christ’s strength, Amen.

 

Award-winning author, speaker, and licensed therapist, Tina’s passion is to offer encouragement through spoken and written messages. She enjoys writing nonfiction and speculative fiction while coaching online clients through Divine Encouragement, LLC. Tina mentors five chapters in four states with Word Weavers International. Come visit her for a virtual cup of java at divineencouragement.com and tyeagerwrites.com.