July 15, 2025 • 16 mins
Creative breakthrough isn't just about what happens in your studio—it's about who surrounds you on the journey. For artists conditioned to figure everything out alone, this revelation can transform both your creative practice and your business.
The most profound artistic growth emerges when we recognize that God designed us for connection. As Ecclesiastes reminds us, "Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor." This ancient wisdom applies powerfully to our modern creative pursuits.
When we talk about collaboration, many immediately think of joint projects or shared canvases. But the deepest transformations come through relationship-based collaborations—critique groups, mastermind circles, and authentic friendships with fellow creatives who speak truth into your journey. These trusted companions see opportunities in your work that remain invisible to you, challenge you to go deeper, and remind you of your calling when doubt creeps in.
Building these relationships requires intentional effort—starting critique groups, hosting creative gatherings, joining mentoring communities, or pursuing strategic partnerships. The most successful collaborations typically begin not with calculated networking but with genuine connection, recognizing divine appointments and having the courage to extend an invitation.
Don't let introversion become an excuse for isolation. Take the initiative rather than waiting for someone else to make the first move. As you open yourself to deeper creative community, you'll discover that the breakthrough you've been seeking might not be found in solitude but in the rich tapestry of relationships God is weaving around you. Subscribe now to join a community of artists who understand that in the kingdom, we were created to thrive together, not alone.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
You know, as artists, it's super easy to have this
idea that you've got to figureout everything on your own and
all that, all this pressure, andthat's kind of how we're wired
right as artists.
It's our studio, our voice, ourcreativity, our artwork, our
business, all this kind of stuff.
But I've just really found inmy life that breakthrough and
real momentum in my life and inmy art business and, of course,
(00:22):
in my art, comes not just fromwhat's going on in me but also
what's happening around me withthe people that God's bringing
into my life.
Today I want to jump into onthe podcast this idea of
collaboration and partnership,not just in projects but also in
relationships and gettingfeedback and building creative
community, because this is oneof the most important things
(00:43):
that you need to understand asyou're learning to thrive as an
artist.
We're going to talk about ittoday here on the Thriving
Christian Artist podcast.
Welcome to the ThrivingChristian Artist, the podcast
where we hope you connect withGod, to bust through the
roadblocks that have held youback for years, create the work
you love and really live thelife you know.
God created you to live as anartist in His kingdom.
(01:05):
I'm Matt Tommey, your host.
Let's get started.
Well, hey, my friend, it's Matt, super glad that you're here
with me again on the podcast.
Listen, this whole idea ofcollaboration and partnerships,
I think is one of the biggestoverlooked things and really
opportunities that artistsforget about sometimes, and yet
it's one of the biggest waysthat God can bless our life and
(01:28):
help us grow into maturity.
Now, before we get into thistoday, I want to just you know
full disclosure.
I'm not really one of thoseartists who, like gets into
doing joint art projects andshared canvases and paint
parties with each other and allthat kind of stuff.
Like that's just not my jam,right.
I mean, some of you are like Ilove that man, that's so fun, or
(01:49):
I did that at a conference, orI did that with an artist
recently and listen, that isawesome.
And if you love that, go for it.
But what's made a really hugedifference in my life are
collaborative relationships thatI've built along the way, not
only with other artists, friendsof mine and that sort of thing,
but also mentors and justgeneral business and life
friends that have challenged meand inspired me and helped me
(02:10):
grow in ways that I never reallycould on my own.
I love that verse in verses, acouple of verses actually in
Ecclesiastes 4, verses 9 and 10.
It says this two are betterthan one because they have a
good return for their labor.
If either of them falls down,the other can help or one can
help the other up.
(02:30):
And I love that right Becauseit just reinforces this idea
that we see all throughout theNew Testament, that this idea
that we're not alone is not justabout our personal life, it's
about our calling and how we'rewalking and showing up in the
(02:53):
world.
It's about really how you'rewalking in the thing that God's
told you to do.
Now a lot of people hear thisword collaboration.
I think most people, like Isaid just a minute ago, kind of
think of this idea of working ona single art project together
or doing a mural together,writing a book together,
launching a I don't know like ajoint collection or something
like that.
But that that is really justone form of collaboration that
(03:16):
we can walk in as artists and,honestly, the deepest sort of
transformation and impact that'shappened in my life has been
through collaborativerelationships that are not
necessarily artistic but they'remore like critique groups and
mastermind circles and, you know, just deep friendships with
other artists that I trust,where we gather not just to
(03:38):
create the same thing or, youknow, working on a project
together, but where we're reallyspeaking into each other's
journey.
I remember for years inAsheville I hosted a Monday
night group.
You may have heard me talkabout this before If you've read
any of my books or been in thementoring program or anything
like that.
It was a season of life for mewhere I was really wanting to
(04:00):
develop meaningful relationshipswith other artists, not just to
help them grow but also help megrow.
And every week we would bringin the things that we're working
on.
We'd, you know, thoughtfullygive critique and feedback to
each other, we'd pray for eachother, we'd hear the things that
are going great, the thingsthat are being challenged inside
of us, all the stuff right, andwhen you can really build a
(04:23):
community around you.
That is the kind ofrelationships where you can show
your work to people that youreally trust and you allow them
to be able to see things in you,creatively and in business and
in just kind of your design andGod um, that you can't see.
I mean that is huge right,because all of a sudden they're
(04:44):
helping to be a conduit of theHoly Spirit to say, hey, there's
something going on in yourartistic uh, you know expression
here, or something that's goingon in your life, something that
may be an opportunity in yourbusiness that you don't see yet,
and I just want to call thatout so that it brings that thing
to your attention.
And this, you know, thischallenge, I think, for all of
(05:05):
us to open ourself up to, thatis is just that a challenge,
right?
None of us like to to feel like, oh, I'm kind of putting myself
out there or whatever.
But listen, when you build agroup of friends in your life
and colleagues that you canreally trust and you can
challenge each other to godeeper and, um, that's just
really, really, really a superbig, valuable part, I think, of
(05:27):
being an artist and being ableto grow in the things that God
has for you, and it reallyallows you to be sharpened, to
find the gold that's in yourside, you know, inside your life
, and also, I think, to honewhat God's doing in you
creatively and in your business.
Because I don't know about you,but sometimes, you know, there
are things that I may be doingor perspectives that I have that
(05:49):
I just kind of take for granted.
But when other people see thatand they go, man, like that's a
really big deal, like whatyou're doing is unique, like
that's special, like nobody elseis doing that, sometimes we
just need other people to beable to speak that to us.
And I just find that when we'reintentional about developing
those sorts of relationships andthose sorts of opportunities,
(06:10):
if you will, to get togetherwith other people for that to
happen, it's just really, really, really can be life-giving.
You know I say this all thetime, but you know we're not
designed to do life in thekingdom as artists alone.
We need each other forencouragement.
You know, when we feel stuck togive feedback, when we feel
like, you know, our mind is justtearing us down or maybe other
(06:32):
people would feel like aretearing us down, or whatever, we
need people to share resourcesand experiences that they've had
to be able to say, hey, I knowyou're going through something
really difficult right now, butI've been through that too and
you're going to get through it.
And we need I just reallybelieve we need people to pray
for us and believe in ourcalling and speak life into us
and, again, this is the kind ofcollaboration and partnership.
(06:54):
That doesn't just strengthen ourart, it strengthens our
identity, because when you walkwith others, you really get it
right.
You get who you are, how you'reshowing up in the world, what
God's called you to, that arealso, you know, on the same
creative journey, also trying totune into what the Holy Spirit
is saying in their life.
It reminds you, you know you'renot alone, you're not crazy,
(07:16):
you're actually called.
You're actually just on ajourney, and I think for all of
us, we need people in our lifeto remind us of who we are and
where we're going in the world.
But how many of you know thatdoes not happen on autopilot.
That's something that we haveto intentionally make room for
in our life every day.
Now, listen, that doesn'trequire this huge like overhaul
(07:38):
of like I've got to totallychange everything I'm doing to
make room for all thiscollaboration.
No, you can do simple thingsright, like starting a, maybe a
critique group with some friends, either online or in person.
Do like I did, maybe in yourstudio or at your home or at
your church.
Start a creative group, youknow, where you meet once a week
or maybe a few times a month,just to kind of share what's
(07:59):
going on.
Maybe you go through a booktogether.
We've had so many people.
Still, every day we're gettingemails from people that, hey,
we're doing Unlocking the Heartof the Artist as a group, or
we're doing God's Plan forLiving, or Created to Thrive, or
whatever it might be.
We're taking this and we'reusing it as what I've called an
excuse to get together.
Right, that can be a hugeopportunity just to begin to
(08:21):
have conversation.
Maybe you're thinking aboutgetting a studio and it's maybe
a big you know a big leap to dothat by yourself, but you may
want to get that together withtwo or three other artists and
going together.
Or maybe you're thinking aboutteaching a class, but you don't
want to do that by yourself.
Maybe you want to get a coupleof other artists to go in with
(08:42):
you and teach that class.
I'm doing that right now,actually, with a friend who's
been a part of the Created toThrive Artist Mentoring Program.
He's an incredible artist.
We kind of have some overlap inwhat we do.
She invited me to do a jointclass and we're doing it.
We're joint marketing it.
We're each kind of bringingwhat we bring to the table and
it's going to be a huge amountof fun.
I'm going to learn something,she's going to learn something.
(09:03):
Our students are going to get alot out of it as well and it's
going to be a great, greatopportunity.
Also, you know communities likeour Created to Thrive Artist
Mentoring Program.
I mean, we've been really theflagship mentoring program for
artists who love Jesus and wantto grow spiritually,
artistically and in businesssince 2016.
(09:26):
I mean, I'm just going to saynot a lot of people have been
around that long and we've beenseeing real, measurable
transformation in people's livesfor a long, long time and,
primarily, one of the bigreasons that happens is not just
because of the great teachingthat you get in the mentoring
program, but also because of themeaningful connections.
(09:46):
People just get in there andmake friends for life.
They find people that are intheir area.
They find people that they wantto get together with outside of
.
You know what we're doing inthe mentoring program and so you
know those kind ofrelationships that you can
connect with people that are onthe same journey of you and
really allow them to come intoyour life and speak into you and
(10:08):
you speak into them.
Listen.
That's how you grow and listenfor those of you that are
building your art business, youknow, and trying to grow that
side of things.
Marketing partnerships andcollaborations are a huge way.
I've done a lot of podcasts anda lot of teaching about the
idea of strategic partnershipsand you know doing either
marketing opportunities, salesopportunities, just kind of
(10:31):
general promotion with otherpeople that are in front of the
same ideal client that you arebut don't directly compete.
So you know, for artists, a lotof times that can be other
artists or you know interiordesigners or galleries or
builders or any kind of localbusiness that might be out there
that's already doing businessin front and with you know your
ideal client, but that's not,again, the only place that
(10:54):
you're seeking connection, right, you.
I think for me, when I lookback at the biggest, most
successful strategicpartnerships that I've built
over the years that have thathave yielded the most sales and
the most fulfillment for me,they started not with me trying
to get something from thatperson, but me just really
liking that person and Godopening the door and me kind of
(11:15):
recognizing hey, god's doingsomething like this is kind of
an opportunity, right, I'm goingto step through that door and
so, listen, I just want toencourage you this week to have
this on your mind and challengeyou to maybe it's just reaching
out to one person that's kind ofin your creative world, right
Ask a question or ask for somefeedback, or maybe invite them
(11:36):
to lunch or invite them to overto the studio just to give you
some feedback on what you'redoing, or just say, hey, I'd
love to connect with you andso-and-so on a regular basis and
just wanted to see if y'allwanted to get together on a
regular basis to talk about theLord, pray for each other,
encourage each other in our artor you know, just whatever God
might be doing that he puts onyour heart.
(11:58):
You just never, ever, ever knowwhat God's going to do.
When you take the initiative toopen the door with others to
deeper connection, take theinitiative to open the door with
others to deeper connection,you know so many times and we're
all guilty of this so manytimes we all just are like, well
, you know God, just open thedoor, just bring somebody to me,
and you know what.
I just find that when we'relooking for that, it's most
(12:18):
helpful if we'll be that personfor somebody else.
Be the person that does thething that you want somebody to
do to you.
If you want somebody to be afriend, start being a friend.
If you want somebody to go tolunch with you or to hang out
with you in the studio, invitesomebody.
Be the person that invitessomebody and takes the first
step.
That's how relationships grow.
(12:41):
And please don't get on thisthing of I'm just an introvert
and I just don't do people.
Yeah, listen, introverts aresome of the best relationship
builders out there.
You just got to go to that.
Get over that fear of of whatmight happen or how they might
think you're crazy If you askthem to lunch or whatever.
Listen, you just got to putthat old, you know, as Zig
(13:02):
Ziglar used to say stinkingthinking.
You got to put that out of yourmind, right, and get that to
the side so that you can reallyunderstand the thing that God
wants to do in and through yourlife in the context of
relationships.
And I'm just telling you, whenyou do that, you'll be amazed at
how the Lord opens the door todeeper connection and deeper
(13:24):
growth in your life in a wholevariety of different areas.
Jesus, I thank you that youdidn't design us to walk this
journey alone in the kingdom.
God.
You said that each one of usare a part of your body.
Each one of us is designeduniquely.
We carry something uniquely ofyour image, the spark of life,
(13:46):
this part of your nature, lord,that's in us and through us.
And, lord, I thank you thatwhen we operate in that and we
link arms with others that aredoing the same Lord, we get to
grow in fullness and in measurein the things that you have for
us.
We not only get to receive life, but also get to give life for
others, and we thank you forthat opportunity.
(14:08):
God, thank you for allowing usto walk fully fulfilled, fully
empowered and fully knowing thatyou are leading us in every
part of our kingdom journey.
Thank you for that, lord, inJesus' name.
(14:42):
Amen.
You continuing to listen, makingsure that you're subscribed and
then also taking a moment andsharing the podcast with others
so that they can know about allthe incredible resources that
are here absolutely free on ourpodcast Over 500 now episodes
that are going to not only equipyou but also inspire you to be
(15:02):
everything that God's called youto be in the kingdom.
I love you, my friend.
Be sure to do all the thingsand show up.
Next week I'll have anothergreat message for you here on
the podcast and until next time,remember you were created to
thrive.
Bye, hey, my friend.
Before you go, make sure thatyou're signed up for the
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Weekly it's my free newsletter,full of spiritual encouragement
(15:23):
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(15:46):
You can click the link righthere in the show notes to join
us, and it's a great way to stayconnected.
All right, love you, bye, thankyou.
You know, as artists, it's super easy to have this
idea that you've got to figureout everything on your own and
all that, all this pressure, andthat's kind of how we're wired
right as artists.
It's our studio, our voice, ourcreativity, our artwork, our
business, all this kind of stuff.
But I've just really found inmy life that breakthrough and
real momentum in my life and inmy art business and, of course,
(00:22):
in my art, comes not just fromwhat's going on in me but also
what's happening around me withthe people that God's bringing
into my life.
Today I want to jump into onthe podcast this idea of
collaboration and partnership,not just in projects but also in
relationships and gettingfeedback and building creative
community, because this is oneof the most important things
(00:43):
that you need to understand asyou're learning to thrive as an
artist.
We're going to talk about ittoday here on the Thriving
Christian Artist podcast.
Welcome to the ThrivingChristian Artist, the podcast
where we hope you connect withGod, to bust through the
roadblocks that have held youback for years, create the work
you love and really live thelife you know.
God created you to live as anartist in His kingdom.
(01:05):
I'm Matt Tommey, your host.
Let's get started.
Well, hey, my friend, it's Matt, super glad that you're here
with me again on the podcast.
Listen, this whole idea ofcollaboration and partnerships,
I think is one of the biggestoverlooked things and really
opportunities that artistsforget about sometimes, and yet
it's one of the biggest waysthat God can bless our life and
(01:28):
help us grow into maturity.
Now, before we get into thistoday, I want to just you know
full disclosure.
I'm not really one of thoseartists who, like gets into
doing joint art projects andshared canvases and paint
parties with each other and allthat kind of stuff.
Like that's just not my jam,right.
I mean, some of you are like Ilove that man, that's so fun, or
(01:49):
I did that at a conference, orI did that with an artist
recently and listen, that isawesome.
And if you love that, go for it.
But what's made a really hugedifference in my life are
collaborative relationships thatI've built along the way, not
only with other artists, friendsof mine and that sort of thing,
but also mentors and justgeneral business and life
friends that have challenged meand inspired me and helped me
(02:10):
grow in ways that I never reallycould on my own.
I love that verse in verses, acouple of verses actually in
Ecclesiastes 4, verses 9 and 10.
It says this two are betterthan one because they have a
good return for their labor.
If either of them falls down,the other can help or one can
help the other up.
(02:30):
And I love that right Becauseit just reinforces this idea
that we see all throughout theNew Testament, that this idea
that we're not alone is not justabout our personal life, it's
about our calling and how we'rewalking and showing up in the
(02:53):
world.
It's about really how you'rewalking in the thing that God's
told you to do.
Now a lot of people hear thisword collaboration.
I think most people, like Isaid just a minute ago, kind of
think of this idea of working ona single art project together
or doing a mural together,writing a book together,
launching a I don't know like ajoint collection or something
like that.
But that that is really justone form of collaboration that
(03:16):
we can walk in as artists and,honestly, the deepest sort of
transformation and impact that'shappened in my life has been
through collaborativerelationships that are not
necessarily artistic but they'remore like critique groups and
mastermind circles and, you know, just deep friendships with
other artists that I trust,where we gather not just to
(03:38):
create the same thing or, youknow, working on a project
together, but where we're reallyspeaking into each other's
journey.
I remember for years inAsheville I hosted a Monday
night group.
You may have heard me talkabout this before If you've read
any of my books or been in thementoring program or anything
like that.
It was a season of life for mewhere I was really wanting to
(04:00):
develop meaningful relationshipswith other artists, not just to
help them grow but also help megrow.
And every week we would bringin the things that we're working
on.
We'd, you know, thoughtfullygive critique and feedback to
each other, we'd pray for eachother, we'd hear the things that
are going great, the thingsthat are being challenged inside
of us, all the stuff right, andwhen you can really build a
(04:23):
community around you.
That is the kind ofrelationships where you can show
your work to people that youreally trust and you allow them
to be able to see things in you,creatively and in business and
in just kind of your design andGod um, that you can't see.
I mean that is huge right,because all of a sudden they're
(04:44):
helping to be a conduit of theHoly Spirit to say, hey, there's
something going on in yourartistic uh, you know expression
here, or something that's goingon in your life, something that
may be an opportunity in yourbusiness that you don't see yet,
and I just want to call thatout so that it brings that thing
to your attention.
And this, you know, thischallenge, I think, for all of
(05:05):
us to open ourself up to, thatis is just that a challenge,
right?
None of us like to to feel like, oh, I'm kind of putting myself
out there or whatever.
But listen, when you build agroup of friends in your life
and colleagues that you canreally trust and you can
challenge each other to godeeper and, um, that's just
really, really, really a superbig, valuable part, I think, of
(05:27):
being an artist and being ableto grow in the things that God
has for you, and it reallyallows you to be sharpened, to
find the gold that's in yourside, you know, inside your life
, and also, I think, to honewhat God's doing in you
creatively and in your business.
Because I don't know about you,but sometimes, you know, there
are things that I may be doingor perspectives that I have that
(05:49):
I just kind of take for granted.
But when other people see thatand they go, man, like that's a
really big deal, like whatyou're doing is unique, like
that's special, like nobody elseis doing that, sometimes we
just need other people to beable to speak that to us.
And I just find that when we'reintentional about developing
those sorts of relationships andthose sorts of opportunities,
(06:10):
if you will, to get togetherwith other people for that to
happen, it's just really, really, really can be life-giving.
You know I say this all thetime, but you know we're not
designed to do life in thekingdom as artists alone.
We need each other forencouragement.
You know, when we feel stuck togive feedback, when we feel
like, you know, our mind is justtearing us down or maybe other
(06:32):
people would feel like aretearing us down, or whatever, we
need people to share resourcesand experiences that they've had
to be able to say, hey, I knowyou're going through something
really difficult right now, butI've been through that too and
you're going to get through it.
And we need I just reallybelieve we need people to pray
for us and believe in ourcalling and speak life into us
and, again, this is the kind ofcollaboration and partnership.
(06:54):
That doesn't just strengthen ourart, it strengthens our
identity, because when you walkwith others, you really get it
right.
You get who you are, how you'reshowing up in the world, what
God's called you to, that arealso, you know, on the same
creative journey, also trying totune into what the Holy Spirit
is saying in their life.
It reminds you, you know you'renot alone, you're not crazy,
(07:16):
you're actually called.
You're actually just on ajourney, and I think for all of
us, we need people in our lifeto remind us of who we are and
where we're going in the world.
But how many of you know thatdoes not happen on autopilot.
That's something that we haveto intentionally make room for
in our life every day.
Now, listen, that doesn'trequire this huge like overhaul
(07:38):
of like I've got to totallychange everything I'm doing to
make room for all thiscollaboration.
No, you can do simple thingsright, like starting a, maybe a
critique group with some friends, either online or in person.
Do like I did, maybe in yourstudio or at your home or at
your church.
Start a creative group, youknow, where you meet once a week
or maybe a few times a month,just to kind of share what's
(07:59):
going on.
Maybe you go through a booktogether.
We've had so many people.
Still, every day we're gettingemails from people that, hey,
we're doing Unlocking the Heartof the Artist as a group, or
we're doing God's Plan forLiving, or Created to Thrive, or
whatever it might be.
We're taking this and we'reusing it as what I've called an
excuse to get together.
Right, that can be a hugeopportunity just to begin to
(08:21):
have conversation.
Maybe you're thinking aboutgetting a studio and it's maybe
a big you know a big leap to dothat by yourself, but you may
want to get that together withtwo or three other artists and
going together.
Or maybe you're thinking aboutteaching a class, but you don't
want to do that by yourself.
Maybe you want to get a coupleof other artists to go in with
(08:42):
you and teach that class.
I'm doing that right now,actually, with a friend who's
been a part of the Created toThrive Artist Mentoring Program.
He's an incredible artist.
We kind of have some overlap inwhat we do.
She invited me to do a jointclass and we're doing it.
We're joint marketing it.
We're each kind of bringingwhat we bring to the table and
it's going to be a huge amountof fun.
I'm going to learn something,she's going to learn something.
(09:03):
Our students are going to get alot out of it as well and it's
going to be a great, greatopportunity.
Also, you know communities likeour Created to Thrive Artist
Mentoring Program.
I mean, we've been really theflagship mentoring program for
artists who love Jesus and wantto grow spiritually,
artistically and in businesssince 2016.
(09:26):
I mean, I'm just going to saynot a lot of people have been
around that long and we've beenseeing real, measurable
transformation in people's livesfor a long, long time and,
primarily, one of the bigreasons that happens is not just
because of the great teachingthat you get in the mentoring
program, but also because of themeaningful connections.
(09:46):
People just get in there andmake friends for life.
They find people that are intheir area.
They find people that they wantto get together with outside of
.
You know what we're doing inthe mentoring program and so you
know those kind ofrelationships that you can
connect with people that are onthe same journey of you and
really allow them to come intoyour life and speak into you and
(10:08):
you speak into them.
Listen.
That's how you grow and listenfor those of you that are
building your art business, youknow, and trying to grow that
side of things.
Marketing partnerships andcollaborations are a huge way.
I've done a lot of podcasts anda lot of teaching about the
idea of strategic partnershipsand you know doing either
marketing opportunities, salesopportunities, just kind of
(10:31):
general promotion with otherpeople that are in front of the
same ideal client that you arebut don't directly compete.
So you know, for artists, a lotof times that can be other
artists or you know interiordesigners or galleries or
builders or any kind of localbusiness that might be out there
that's already doing businessin front and with you know your
ideal client, but that's not,again, the only place that
(10:54):
you're seeking connection, right, you.
I think for me, when I lookback at the biggest, most
successful strategicpartnerships that I've built
over the years that have thathave yielded the most sales and
the most fulfillment for me,they started not with me trying
to get something from thatperson, but me just really
liking that person and Godopening the door and me kind of
(11:15):
recognizing hey, god's doingsomething like this is kind of
an opportunity, right, I'm goingto step through that door and
so, listen, I just want toencourage you this week to have
this on your mind and challengeyou to maybe it's just reaching
out to one person that's kind ofin your creative world, right
Ask a question or ask for somefeedback, or maybe invite them
(11:36):
to lunch or invite them to overto the studio just to give you
some feedback on what you'redoing, or just say, hey, I'd
love to connect with you andso-and-so on a regular basis and
just wanted to see if y'allwanted to get together on a
regular basis to talk about theLord, pray for each other,
encourage each other in our artor you know, just whatever God
might be doing that he puts onyour heart.
(11:58):
You just never, ever, ever knowwhat God's going to do.
When you take the initiative toopen the door with others to
deeper connection, take theinitiative to open the door with
others to deeper connection,you know so many times and we're
all guilty of this so manytimes we all just are like, well
, you know God, just open thedoor, just bring somebody to me,
and you know what.
I just find that when we'relooking for that, it's most
(12:18):
helpful if we'll be that personfor somebody else.
Be the person that does thething that you want somebody to
do to you.
If you want somebody to be afriend, start being a friend.
If you want somebody to go tolunch with you or to hang out
with you in the studio, invitesomebody.
Be the person that invitessomebody and takes the first
step.
That's how relationships grow.
(12:41):
And please don't get on thisthing of I'm just an introvert
and I just don't do people.
Yeah, listen, introverts aresome of the best relationship
builders out there.
You just got to go to that.
Get over that fear of of whatmight happen or how they might
think you're crazy If you askthem to lunch or whatever.
Listen, you just got to putthat old, you know, as Zig
(13:02):
Ziglar used to say stinkingthinking.
You got to put that out of yourmind, right, and get that to
the side so that you can reallyunderstand the thing that God
wants to do in and through yourlife in the context of
relationships.
And I'm just telling you, whenyou do that, you'll be amazed at
how the Lord opens the door todeeper connection and deeper
(13:24):
growth in your life in a wholevariety of different areas.
Jesus, I thank you that youdidn't design us to walk this
journey alone in the kingdom.
God.
You said that each one of usare a part of your body.
Each one of us is designeduniquely.
We carry something uniquely ofyour image, the spark of life,
(13:46):
this part of your nature, lord,that's in us and through us.
And, lord, I thank you thatwhen we operate in that and we
link arms with others that aredoing the same Lord, we get to
grow in fullness and in measurein the things that you have for
us.
We not only get to receive life, but also get to give life for
others, and we thank you forthat opportunity.
(14:08):
God, thank you for allowing usto walk fully fulfilled, fully
empowered and fully knowing thatyou are leading us in every
part of our kingdom journey.
Thank you for that, lord, inJesus' name.
(14:42):
Amen.
You continuing to listen, makingsure that you're subscribed and
then also taking a moment andsharing the podcast with others
so that they can know about allthe incredible resources that
are here absolutely free on ourpodcast Over 500 now episodes
that are going to not only equipyou but also inspire you to be
(15:02):
everything that God's called youto be in the kingdom.
I love you, my friend.
Be sure to do all the thingsand show up.
Next week I'll have anothergreat message for you here on
the podcast and until next time,remember you were created to
thrive.
Bye, hey, my friend.
Before you go, make sure thatyou're signed up for the
thriving Christian artists.
Weekly it's my free newsletter,full of spiritual encouragement
(15:23):
, creative inspiration andpractical tips to help you
thrive in everything that God'scalled you to do as an artist in
his kingdom.
Every issue is absolutely freeand it includes the latest
podcast episode, featured artistspotlights, a worship song of
the week and, again, tons oftips and encouragement and
inspiration for you to keep youinspired and encouraged in
everything that God's got foryou as an artist in the kingdom.
(15:46):
You can click the link righthere in the show notes to join
us, and it's a great way to stayconnected.
All right, love you, bye, thankyou.
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