Notepad Encouragement

Many years ago, I took a music class on creating a musical score for a video. The teacher and I were about the same age, so we struck up a friendship during that semester. On one occasion, he asked if I could drive him to the airport using his car so it would not be stuck in an airport parking lot while he was gone. I agreed. Now alone on the way back to his house, I noticed a notepad attached to his dashboard. The message on the top sheet read, “God is my audience.”

Aside from living as a hermit, totally disconnected from everyone, we are constantly being evaluated by those around us. That judgment may relate to work performance, parenting, lifestyle, art, social media posts, fashion (or lack thereof), etc. Some comments are asked for, but the majority are not. Some are spoken or posted, but most are not. If we are not careful, we may tie our self-worth to what other people think of us. Our worth does not come from others but from God. He is the only audience that matters.

Choose How You React

It’s not that all evaluation is wrong. It can be helpful for growth as an artist or a person. Though accepting criticism is challenging, it yields a better final product. It has been said that little is learned from winning. Losing is where growth happens.

It’s the unhelpful judging we need to let roll off our backs like ducks in the rain. My mom would encourage me toward this concept by saying, “You can’t control what others say about you, but you can control how you react to it.” Thank you, mom! We are not only responsible for our actions but also our reactions.

In everything you do today, creative or not, remember that God is your audience. May he be pleased and glorified by the offering of who we are and what we do! “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17