I was able to complete the set-up of my little home recording studio this month. It’s been quite the learning curve, but I asked the Holy Spirit to help me figure all this stuff out. He is really answering my prayers. I still have a LOT to learn, and a lot more sound-proofing of the room to do; but this week I published my first song that I wrote and recorded, mixed, and produced by myself. I feel a lot more of these coming in the future. (You can see the video at the end of this post.)
The very fact that I was able to record and release this song is a testament to all the freedom God has brought me in recent years. I’ve written songs all my life, but was so bound up by insecurity that I kept them secret, rarely releasing them into the world. God has shown me that my worth and value does not come from the praise of man, and there’s a special anointing that’s released when we take a childlike posture of joy in the creative process. Think about when a child is drawing, painting, or creating in other ways. They are not self-conscious. They are not concerned with perfection. They are simply finding joy in the process of creating. When they are finished, they love to show their work to their mom or dad. They feel a sense of pride in what they’ve accomplished, but they don’t bother to compare their work to anyone else’s. They just get so much joy out of creating for creativity’s sake. As a parent, I have never criticized my children’s artwork. I have never compared their artwork with my other children’s. I never think about professional artists and how my kids’ artwork falls short of “professional”. I’ve only ever felt pride and joy when I see what they’ve done. One of my children has disabilities, but I am no less proud when he creates. To me, their creations are more valuable than a Rembrandt.
I think that’s how God views it when you and I create.
I believe the Father is so pleased when we approach creativity with wonder and childlike faith. To create for the pure joy of creating actually means I’m acting like my Daddy! After all, He is the Author of Creation and Creativity. We look a lot like Him when we are creative, and He actually gets joy out of our joy in the process.
Creativity also releases the prophetic in ways that mere words cannot always do. God speaks in many languages. I’ve been meditating a lot lately on John 3:6 when Jesus says, “For the Spirit-wind blows as it chooses. You can hear its sound, but you don’t know where it came from or where it’s going. So it is within the hearts of those who are Spirit-born!”
So the wind of the Spirit has a sound. You know what I want poured out on the world now more than anything else? The Holy Spirit. What if you and I can jump into that airstream and contribute to His sound? What if, in listening to the Father, He gives us a new sound that has never before been released?
For some of us, it is our words. For some it is writing. For others it is music. For others it is acts of kindness. For others it is miracles, signs, and wonders. You name it. I believe God is releasing a new sound in the world today and it is carried on the wind of His Spirit. It sounds like Heaven and it looks like Love. What if we all decided not to hold back anymore? What if we all decided to be so devoted to our time in the secret place that we never had to wonder what the Father was saying? What if we took what He said in the secret place and released it as part of the New Sound? What if we devoted ourselves to training our ears to hear His Spirit-wind louder than any other noise?
What if you asked Him what new sound He wants you to make? Perhaps it is as simple as choosing to speak gratitude throughout your day rather than focusing on what’s not going well. Perhaps it is choosing to pray for someone that you would normally complain about. Maybe it’s time to try out a new hobby or lose yourself in worshiping a new way. Maybe your quiet time is always the same thing in the same place, and it’s time to mix it up a bit. I really feel God is blessing the “new” in this season. He is on the move. He is doing a new thing. I can hear the sound of the Spirit-wind, and I’m not totally sure where He’s going, but I do know I’m jumping into His air stream! My ears are tuned to His voice and my will is submitted to my King. I’m ready to give all I have for His glory and there’s nothing more thrilling than partnering with the wind of the Spirit!
Song Story:
Last month I was in a School of Revival class where Heidi Baker was sharing from her heart and experience about the extreme importance of getting away with Jesus every single day, and it made a big impression on me. With everything that’s going on in the world, it’s especially vital that we check in with our Source of peace daily! It’s in that secret place with God that we can be loved on and hear His voice. I recently discovered a “secret” spot by the river near my home that is secluded and unbelievably beautiful. I’ve had some special times being alone with God there, where I’ve come with no agenda other than to just be with him. It’s been a new level of intimacy and falling deeper in love with Jesus.
This song was birthed from that place of finding new ways to be alone with Jesus. I pray this song releases peace over you and beckons you with a gentle invitation to come into His presence and let His love wash over all your worries and pain. You really are his Beloved and He wants nothing more than to be with you. Not out of duty or religious obligation, but because He’s crazy about you. He’s calling you right now to come and be with Him so He can cover you with His love and the oil of His presence.
You are His Beloved!
COURTNEY GOODWIN 