I dabble in a lot of things that people call “creative” or “artistic”. I enjoy producing music, doing animation, graphic design, photography, and writing. I used to feel like the best way to be humble about creativity is to speak poorly about your work. If someone asked if I did design, I’d say, “Kind of, but I’m not that great.” If someone said, “Hey, nice guitar skills”, I’d reply with, “Thanks, but I’m nothing compared to so-and-so.”

I know a lot of other people like that. No one wants to look arrogant about their work. In a way, it’s also a self-defense against criticism. “If I’m critical about my own work, then nothing that anyone else says will be able to upset me.” Or, on the other end of the spectrum, “What other people think doesn’t matter, only what I think can affect me.” But we all know that’s a lie. We still get defensive or discouraged when someone criticizes our work.

However, I’ve come to realize that the Gospel gives us a whole new way to look at the things we create. The Gospel says that our identity is not in what we do, but in Christ and what He’s done.

So when someone praises me, it’s nice, but it’s not the source of elation it once was– because my identity and image isn’t in being an artist, but in being loved by God. I can accept compliments without letting it inflate my ego. If someone criticizes me, it’s just a learning opportunity and an indicator of how I can grow. I can accept criticism without letting it discourage me or make me defensive. It is not being self-aggrandizing, nor is it being self-deprecating. It’s having a completely different identity and anchor outside of what I do. Art is fun, it’s beautiful, and it’s cathartic. But it’s a terrible thing to find your identity in. My ultimate stock is not in the things I create, but in the God who freely gives us art for our enjoyment and His glory.