Like They Said

So I stumbled across this article about graphic design and its relationship to a Christian heart. I have to say it pretty much expresses a struggle that every designer deals with. Even though I'm still a graphic design student I can relate to what is being said here. Take a few minutes and check it out:

"I can't tell you how many designers I've spoken to over the last year who have expressed to me a deep discontent with their work. Not that it wasn't good enough or that it didn't win awards, but because they felt empty and passionless doing it. I saw this expressed in several ways:

I called a fellow graphic designer the other day, and he told me that he just didn't think he could possibly design another corporate newsletter for a client.

I walked into a well respected, up and coming ad agency and found very bright and creative designers dragging themselves through the motions with another less than inspiring project.

I myself have recently tried to establish some client accounts that I new I'd be miserable doing.

What do all these things have in common? Fear. Most of the things we do, our bosses do and our coworkers do are driven by fear. Primarily fear that we _______. You can fill in the blank…fear that won't be able to pay the bills; will get fired if we say no; won't be able to maintain our lifestyle; will close the door on other opportunities, etc.

So what do we do? We toil the ground as Adam was cursed to do after the Fall. We take on clients and projects we don't have any interest in or flat out dislike. We compromise our creative convictions for fear of losing a client. We rush ourselves to produce for fear of missing a deadline and produce unsatisfactory work. We take jobs at big agencies when we want to start our own studio. Think about how many times today you did something where fear was an underlying motive.

Fear is the Enemy's number one weapon for getting us to do what we don't want to do when our hearts are calling us to do otherwise.

There is good news though for folks like us. Jesus is broke the curse of toiling the ground (or computer) so we no longer need to design from fear. He is calling us to risk it all to create and design with passion for His Kingdom. Remember the story of Jesus and the fishermen. These professionals had been out all day working hard. They were toiling the water, so to speak. They caught nothing. They were empty. Then Jesus tells them to go into deep water and try it again. You know the rest of the story. They caught so many fish their boats almost sunk, and they even called for help. They were stunned.

Check out Jesus words to one of the fisherman, "There is nothing to fear. From now on you'll be fishing for men and women." In one act Jesus ignited their true call (still related to their profession but on a new level) and showed them that there would be more than enough to supply their needs. Their response: pulled their boats up, left all their professional equipment behind and followed Him.

I know this is what God is calling me to do. Could it be we only need to listen for the call in design work and follow Him. Can't He handle the bills? Does the world really need one more cool product to sell or snappy ad produced? What's one more logo going to identify? Is there something deeper He is calling you to design? What's the passion He's designed in your heart? Are you willing to leave it all behind?"