Redefining My Motives

This post was supposed to go out last Thursday. Sorry for the delay. Life happens, right?  

Way back in November, I started thinking about what I hoped to accomplish in 2024. Every year, I ask the Lord to give me a word for the year ahead. I make time to contemplate what goals I wish to chase after, and more importantly, to develop a vision for my life going forward. However, I cannot make these decisions alone. Nor can I base them merely on what I want to see happen.​

​​Finding My True Path

​If truth be told, I struggled in my writing career when I started focusing on how to make more money. (I’m not saying that wanting to increase my income is a bad thing. But I let that desire become my driving force. You see where I went wrong?

If I couldn’t make the living I wanted to make, then I would NOT be an author. I would NOT waste my time creating art. Nor would I spend so much of my day trying to build a home-based business. There are so many easier ways to make a buck, perhaps not a quick one, but. a buck all the same.
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Years ago, I had wanted to be a teacher, but that never worked out for me, even though I did enjoy working with kids. In hindsight, I know that being a teacher was not meant for me. I don’t do well in structured environments. I need the freedom to follow my creative whims. Also, I simply did not have the personality or the kind of skills needed to manage a classroom. All that paperwork…yikes!

And deep down, I knew the Lord had a different direction He wanted me to take.
​But I was afraid of that path, in the beginning. I wasn’t sure if I was good enough, talented enough, or determined enough to follow that risky road. (For those of you who’ve read the White Road Chronicles series, perhaps you’re seeing why I wrote Alyra the way I did. Ha.)

​I took the Risky Path

I think, perhaps, it was because I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE writing stories, even more than anything else I’ve tried to do. And not just any stories, I want to write stories, and create art that touches people’s hearts and encourages them when life gets rough. I want my work to make a difference.

Yes, that might be lofty thinking, but it’s simply who I am. Those are my goals. They are my goals because, I believe, that’s what God put in me a long time ago. You see, I’ve loved making art and writing stories since I was a young child. I started drawing pictures of Disney Characters when I was 5, and my pictures looked very close to the originals. I wrote my first chapter story when I was in the 6th Grade. My teacher liked it so much, she read it to the whole class. My heart wanted to burst wide when she told me that she expected to see my stories in print sometime in the next 20 or 30 years.

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I truly believe that it’s okay to be ambitious with our goals. We were created to thrive, to live our best lives, to love God with everything we have, and to make the most of what He’s given us to make our way in this world. We don’t have to settle for good enough.

​The Fallacy of Practicality

​Sometimes, as creatives, we feel the need to set aside our whimsy for a more practical lifestyle. But the world needs creatives to stand up and let their talents shine. The Kingdom needs us, as well. As Christian artists, we can use our talents to create art that promotes, love, kindness, justice, and mercy. Our stories might help someone who is struggling to find new ways to look at their situation or to find that little nugget of bravery to help them face their obstacles. Our art and stories may challenge cultural norms and encourage values aligned with the teaching of God’s Word. (His Book of Letters, you see) 

​For me, the stories I write give me a voice I wouldn’t otherwise have: a way of speaking deep truths in simple and even humorous ways. When I’ve read letters or reviews from people who’ve said they got through dark places while reading my books is what keeps me going. And during my dark months, when I considered giving up, reading those reviews and letters is what got me through to the other side. Funny how that works, don’t you think?

It seems like an impractical possibility, but God is not really into having things make sense, would you agree?
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As for my art… that is a work in progress. I see other’s works that make my heart leap and I wonder if I’ll ever create something as lovely. I love drawing cute animals and since I also love gardening, my focus has been on animals one might find hanging around a garden. If you are a Story World News subscriber, or if you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you’ll probably see my little garden buddies from time to time. Now, I want to try something new. You’ll have to stick around to see what that next step will be. Ha!
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​It’s What Artist Do…

​And this is what we as Christian artists are created to do. We can explore our world, God’s handiwork in His creations. We can also explore the various human emotions, struggles, and triumphs. We hope to find ways to offer solace, encouragement and hope to those who are also on their spiritual journey.

We have pastors who offer inspiring messages. Counselors who try to walk beside people through their struggles. And so many more gifts and talents that help build up the Kingdom. We all have our place to fill.

I hope nobody reading this blog thinks they have nothing to offer.

God does not waste anything. Everything thing and every person created has a purpose. We simply need to find what it is.

And this is why I keep coming back to writing and art…

I was made to do this. I feel it. I see it in my natural talents. They will continually be refined and developed just like any other skill. There have been times I wanted to give up… but I can’t. I simply can’t.

So, I won’t.
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Whatever talent you have, or purpose in this life, I hope you’ll find a way to pursue it. I hope you’ll find encouragement in these weekly blogs to not give up, and to continue your journey until the very end.
When we do, life becomes so much richer and full of adventures!

I'd love to hear what talents you have that you would like to see thrive.  Perhaps I can share more detailed help in the future if I know where others are at in their journey. Thanks so much for reading this far.

Blessings and Peace,
J. Castle