I Want My Creative Work to Make God Famous

"The magnificence of my creative work is not pleasing to God if it's built on the altar of self."

-Cindy McMahel

1Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and [acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:1-2 NASB

11For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13each one’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test [e]the quality of each one’s work. 14If anyone’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet only so as through fire.

1 Corinthians 3:11 - 15 NASB

I come from a background of performing...

—on stage, in front of people, knowing how to hit the moment just right to get the reaction. And if I’m being honest, that mindset didn’t just perpetuate in my theatre world… it followed me into pretty much every job I’ve ever had. I’ve caught myself chasing the same thing in different forms—the likes, the compliments, the follows, the raving job reviews. There’s a relentless pull to create for the affirmation instead of from a surrendered heart to be used the Lord’s purpose. And some days, I don’t even realize I’ve slipped into it until I feel that disconnect—like I’m producing, but not actually connected to the Lord in my why.

Being a “living sacrifice” is a call to not live for myself. It’s a call to not build creative work from the wrong motivation. It looks like letting God check my heart when I want to rush ahead with an idea I think is brilliant. It’s choosing to build from a place that’s actually rooted in Him, not in whether or not I receive the praise I’m looking for. Even in producing and directing theatrical productions, I’ve often taken the bait—hook, line, and sinker—to strive for perfection. But God is more interested in me representing Him well through the process than in me producing something that makes me look impressive. He cares more about me loving Him and loving others. And honestly, when I stay connected to Him like that, the outcome ends up stronger anyway. Why? Because I leaned on Him for guidance the whole way, like my life depended on it!

          I want what I create—whether anyone sees it or not—to come from a heart that genuinely wants to serve Him. That’s the kind of work that lasts. That’s alignment with the Lord’s purpose for my life. I want to let Him strip back the layers of performance and bring me back to Jesus Christ as my foundation again and again.

Reflection

Let me challenge you to ask yourself these questions:

Write your honest and raw thoughts.

Ask God to help you get back in alignment.

Where in my creative life have I shifted from creating with God to performing for people?

Is what I’m building rooted in Christ, or in the desire to be seen, successful, or validated?

If you don’t know how to pray, start with this prayer below.

Prayer

Father, 

Today I give myself to You. I offer my body as a living and holy sacrifice. Lord, show me what I need to lay down on the altar. I want to let go of the burdens I've been carrying alone. Let Your light shine through me.

Today, I surrender my plans and goals that don't align with You. Forgive me for trying to handle things on my own. I want to enter Your rest because that's the only work You ask of me—the work of entering Your rest.

Thank You, Father, for Your goodness and everlasting mercy. Thank You for creating me in Christ Jesus for good works. I glorify You through my good works, but they are not pleasing if done from a desire to be noticed.

I open myself up to you today, Father, and I give you my heart. I want you to burn up all things that are not on the foundation of my relationship with Jesus. Jesus, I want you to have the first place in my heart, and not my work. I want my heart to be pleasing to you first of all and my desire to make you famous, not myself. I ask You to forgive me for promoting myself and running ahead of you and some of my plans without consulting you, Father. I want to participate with You and let my success criteria align with your success criteria. I don’t want to lean my ladder of success on the wrong building. May my gifts and talents point people towards your goodness, for You alone are good.                           

In Jesus’ Name. Amen.