5 Ways to Thrive in Your Creative Calling

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Most creative people assume the real gap is talent. We’ve found the bigger gap is usually rhythm, identity, and what you do when you don’t feel inspired. In this conversation, Matt Tommy shares five learnable habits he’s consistently seen in artists who thrive over the long haul, not just spiritually, but also in their creative work and art business.

We start with a shift that sounds simple but changes everything: spending time with God before you need something from God. When prayer, worship, Scripture, and quiet listening become daily rhythms, creativity stops running on panic and starts flowing from intimacy. From there we talk about creating from identity instead of for identity, breaking the performance treadmill of likes, sales, and approval by grounding our worth in what’s already settled in Christ.

We also get practical about consistency: showing up to create even when inspiration is missing. Matt tells a personal story about a difficult season and how returning to making became a place of healing, clarity, and unexpected new direction. Then we move into stewardship, focusing on managing what’s already in our hands before asking for “more,” and we close with the mindset of a thriving artist: staying teachable, investing in growth, and choosing community and mentorship over going it alone.

If you want simple practices that lead to real momentum, press play. Subscribe, share this with an artist friend, and leave a review so more creatives can find the path to thriving.

Get The Thriving Christian Artist Pathway + Coaching Community at https://www.matttommeymentoring.com/pathway 

Transcript

Five Practices That Fuel Growth

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There are five ways that I've consistently seen artists grow and thrive in their creative calling. The best news is none of them require any more talent or better connections, better marketing, or even being involved in a specific creative medium. They can all 100% be learned starting right now. And so today I'm going to share with you these five ways and how you can begin cultivating them in your own life so that you can start becoming the artist that God really created you to be. Well, hey, my friend, I'm Matt Tommy. And as somebody who's been a working artist now for over 30 years and also a mentor, I've had a front row seat in what it really takes to see artists thrive and also what keeps them stuck in their life. And you know, one thing I've noticed over and over in the lives of artists who are going after this creative calling is this the artists who experience the greatest growth and impact tend to cultivate a handful just of really powerful but simple practices in their life.

Spend Time With God First

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And the first one is this these artists spend time with God before they need something from God. Now I know that's simple, but it's really, really huge because see, these artists that are really starting to thrive and continuing that over years, that are thriving spiritually and creatively and even in their art business, they're not just seeking God when they need an answer or when they're in trouble. They're not just praying when they need inspiration or a download from heaven. They're not just opening their Bible when they're confused or just to go through some religious obligation. They've learned to build, to cultivate a relationship with God on a daily basis before they need things like direction or provision or breakthrough. And they also love to involve him in their creative process. In other words, it's not like this silo method that we see so many people living like that that I lived like for a lot of years, where your art life is over here and your spiritual life and your business life all separate. Instead, thriving artists are really working together in this one beautiful spirit-led flow. It's it's kind of like what Jesus talked about in John 15 when he said, abide in me, right? It's not about striving or performing or we're trying to figure out everything on our own so God will be pleased. It's learning to abide with him, to really walk with him in in life and in the studio as we create, as we sell our work and build our businesses and do whatever we do. So, see, the artists that are consistently doing that and learning to hear God's voice and lean into his presence and experience his guidance have usually developed just some real simple rhythms of connection with God every day, like prayer and worship and you know, reading God's word, listening, uh, journaling, just spending and investing some quiet moments where they're simply cultivating friendship with God. They're inviting him into their creative expression when they when they start creating. And here's the thing that I found in my own life. The more familiar that you become with God and with walking in his presence, the more you immerse yourself in his word, uh, the easier it becomes to recognize his voice and to be led by the spirit, not just in your art, but really in whatever you're doing. And so if I had one thing today as we start, I would say, you know, don't wait until you're desperate to seek God, till the wheels are running off. You know, start building that relationship now because creativity flows best from a place of intimacy and not urgency.

Create From Identity Not Approval

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Now, the second habit is this: these artists create from identity, not for their identity. And this one really changed everything. I'm 100% a recovering perfectionist. And these artists that are really thriving, they're they're not creating to try to prove themselves or, you know, to earn approval, to earn likes. They're not trying to convince themselves or other people that they're enough. They're they're creating from the security of already knowing that they're already loved deeply and fully by God. And listen, I don't know about for you, but for me, that was an absolute game changer. Unfortunately, though, you know, so many artists have spent years, uh, me included, trapped on that sort of performance treadmill, right? Where if a certain piece sells or if they get the commission, then they feel successful. Or, you know, if if people praise your work and say, oh, you're so talented, then they feel valuable, or if they get enough recognition or financial gain, if they make enough money, then they finally feel secure. Listen, trust me, that is all of that, no matter what it is, is a hundred percent a moving target that you'll never catch. But see, the the good news is that the gospel offers offers something so much better. See, our identity in Christ was settled 100% forever at the cross. And and because of that, according to God's word, it says we're already loved. In Christ, we're already accepted. In Christ, we're already chosen. We're already seated with Him in heavenly places, we're already enough. And so when you create and live from that place of already being loved, that's when things like fear and anxiety begin to lose their grip, when when comparison and all that weight starts losing its power, and when your creativity and that expression really begins to flow as an extension of who you are rather than a test of whether you're enough. Now, listen, if you're starting to realize, just as I'm talking today, that you've probably spent years creating for approval rather than from God's approval, or if you've never really taken the time to develop the habit of learning to abide with him as an artist, or maybe just got away from it over the years, like so many of us have, I want to let you know you're not alone. Listen, learning to come back to these rhythms and develop in your life are some of the biggest breakthroughs that I see every day inside of our foundations course, which is the first phase inside of what we call the thriving Christian artist pathway. Because listen, the truth is most artists don't have a talent problem. They've just got an identity problem. There are things like, you know, carrying fear and comparison and insecurity and those old limiting beliefs and old mindsets. Those things just keep them stuck, no matter how gifted or talented or called they are. And listen, that's why Foundations helps artists renew their minds, strengthen their identity in Christ, and learn how to create from that freedom rather than all of that striving. Listen, if that sounds like exactly where you are now, I'll be sure to put a link down in the description so you can grab it today. And if you're serious about becoming the artist that you know God created you to be, I know 100% that the foundation scores will help you get there. All right. But listen, let's keep going because this third habit may be the one that changed my life more than

Show Up Without Feeling Inspired

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any other. And that's a big statement because identity is that was a big one. But but listen, artists who are thriving show up faithfully to create even when they don't feel inspired. Again, I know it may sound simple, but really, really huge because most artists think that inspiration is the thing that creates momentum. But I've actually found the opposite is true. See, faithfulness, walking with him every day, creating every day, that's what creates momentum. Faithfulness creates fruitfulness in our life. And that's when you start to feel that whoosh of the spirit. You know, a few years ago, after Tanya and I moved here to Texas, I went through one of the hardest seasons of my life. Just talked about that on a video here on the channel. And you know, on paper, everything looked fine. But internally, I felt really, really disconnected and unsettled and frustrated. And honestly, I could not make sense at all what God was doing. And kind of in the middle of that pressure cooker, one day my son Cameron came into the studio and basically gave me a talk and do. And he was like, Dad, listen, uh, you don't look happy. Uh, you're not fun to be around. But I want to encourage you, Dad, get back to making. And you know what? He was right. I didn't have all the answers, I didn't have all the strategy, I didn't have clarity about what's what was next, but I just chose to start creating again, even though I didn't feel anything, quote unquote, you know, on the inside. And something powerful happened when I did that. The creative process that God had given me as a gift started becoming a place of healing and peace. And it it gave me space to think and pray and reconnect with God and be busy with my hands. And, you know, in that season, God actually birthed an entirely new direction in my work that brought a bunch of joy and unexpected pleasure in my life. But also, listen, that never would have happened if I had waited for inspiration. Friend, I would just say if you want to thrive, if you want to go after what God's got for you, don't wait for inspiration. Just take the next step, right? By faith. Open the sketchbook, walk in the studio, pick up the brush, whatever it is, get your clay out. Listen, faithfulness creates room for God to move.

Steward What You Already Have

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Now, the fourth habit is this: these thriving artists really steward what God's already put in their hands. You know, unfortunately, one of the most common prayers I hear from artists all the time is, Oh, I'm just praying for the Lord to bless me, to open a door, to give me more, you know, whatever. And it sounds so spiritual, doesn't it? More impact and more opportunities, more sales, more visibility, more income, more influence, and all the stuff, right? But here's what I've learned: God often asks a different question. He usually asks questions like, Matt, I have all kinds of great things for you, but what are you doing with what I've already given you, with what's already in your hand? See, Jesus taught this principle throughout scripture. Faithfulness always precedes fruitfulness. Get that? Faithfulness always precedes fruitfulness. Stewardship always precedes multiplication. In other words, the artists who seem to experience the most growth, the most momentum, are usually taking really good care of what God's already placed in their hands. Simple things, right? Things like their gifts and their time, their relationships, the resources God's given them, the opportunities and open doors. And instead of focusing on what they feel like's missing, they intentionally look at how they can steward faithfully what they have in the present. And guess what? Over time, God multiplies what they've been willing to manage well. The little things. Now, listen, before I share the fifth habit, I really want you, I want to hear from you in the comments and let me know which one of these things has been the one for you that you're like, oh my gosh, that is really simple. But I I could be doing that. Which one of these things is God highlighting in your life right now? Listen, comment below because I read every one of the comments, and I'd love to know if this is really helping you in a real practical way. All right.

Invest In Growth And Stay Teachable

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Now, the fifth habit is this artists who are really thriving in their creative calling intentionally invest in their own growth and they remain teachable. Those are inextricably tied together. All right. See, one thing I've learned after mentoring thousands of artists, and again, walking my own journey, is that thriving artists never assume that growth and increase is just going to happen. They don't assume that God's just going to go bing. No, they stay teachable. They pursue it intentionally. They ask questions from people that know. They stay curious. They keep learning. They're willing to invest in their own growth instead of just expecting everything to be free or everything to just land in their lap. In other words, they understand that becoming the artist that God has called them to be does not happen magically or accidentally. It happens intentionally. See, the artists who experience the greatest breakthroughs, and I get to see it every day in our coaching community, they're rarely the ones who are trying to figure out everything on their own. These artists that are thriving, they're reading, they're learning, they're asking questions, they're showing up in the studio, they're seeking wisdom, they're asking me questions every week, they're becoming a part of creative communities, they're meeting with other artists, they're they're putting themselves in environments where intentional growth can happen. You know, even in Proverbs, it talks about that, you know, wise people listen and it adds to their learning. Listen, I'm just convinced that is the posture of a thriving artist. Not perfection, not the most talented, not having all the answers, just some humility and intentionality and a willingness to keep growing with others. In fact, you know, as I as I look back at my own journey, I wasted a lot of years trying to figure out everything on my own, just because I guess I thought that's just the way you're supposed to do it. I didn't really have anybody modeling anything else for me. And honestly, I probably had a lot of pride just thinking I'd be able to figure it out, you know, everything on my own. I didn't need to ask for help or whatever. And, but you know, it's funny that some of my best students now over the years, they come up and say some of the same things too. And they'll say something like, you know, Matt, I saw you on a video years ago on YouTube or Facebook or whatever. And I thought this guy is just complete clickbait. I don't need that. But listen, once they actually started listening and trusting me as somebody that could speak into their life, all of a sudden, they were able to start receiving from my journey the things that God had taught me about making art and building a business and creating with him and all the stuff that I teach here every day on the channel. And guess what? All of a sudden, it exponentially accelerated their journey. Not because Matt's like, oh no, God just used my journey and theirs. And I love that. But again, that only happens when somebody's willing to invest intentionally in their own journey. You know, earlier I mentioned uh the foundations course, which is the first part of what we call the thriving Christian Artist Pathway, my signature course. And uh honestly, this fifth habit is one of the reasons why the thriving Christian artist pathway exists in the first place. Because after mentoring artists for a lot of years, it became really clear to me artists do not need more information or strategies or another hack. They just need a clear, spirit-led path. They need godly wisdom from somebody that's been there. They need help from somebody that can help them to understand what to focus on when, what to do next, and and how all those pieces really fit together. And I'm really proud to say that's what the Thriving Christian Artist Pathway provides. It's a step-by-step roadmap to help Christian artists just like you spiritually, creatively, and professionally grow while surrounding themselves with a community of artists who love Jesus and are all walking the same exact path in their life. Listen, growth rarely happens by accident, right? It's not just a lightning strike. It happens when we intentionally place ourselves in environments where God can shape us and help us flourish. And most of the time, that happens with others. Listen, if you're serious about becoming the artist that God created you to be, and you know

Pathway Invite And Final Charge

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after trying by yourself for a lot of years, you really want some help and want some support along the way, I'd love to invite you to check out either the Thriving Christian Artist Pathway or the Foundationist course if you just want to start there. And I'll put the link to both of those right here in the description. And I really, really hope we see you inside. Listen, thanks so much for being with me today. I hope you'll start employing these five strategies in your own life so that you can start thriving and becoming the artist that God created you to be. Of course, uh subscribe, like, comment, do all the stuff so that we can stay connected. And uh remember, till next time, you were created to thrive. Bye.