Myth 3: Creativity is not about us
I fundamentally believe that creativity is not about the person conducting it. There are many people within our world who ‘create’ for their own benefit. This might be a hobby or something that refuels us after a busy day and I don’t necessarily think that this is wrong. However, I really do believe that it shouldn’t end here, because can it really be just about us? Surely we are given creative gifts, talents and passions for a reason. Firstly, I would suggest, to allow us to connect with God, but secondly for others, to enable them to engage and to further their own understanding. For example, the songs we wrote for Easter enabled me to connect in a new way to the story of Jesus and have been a very special part of my journey. However, in allowing these songs to touch and impact other people, I feel we are more completely fulfilling their intention. There are many songs which I have heard in my life which have impacted me, or just conceptualised the feelings that I couldn’t put into words, others that have revealed truth to me through their words. Likewise photographs which I have seen which have been cemented in my memory and will forever change the way I think about something. How much would I be missing out on if the writers of those songs or the photographers had decided to keep their work to themselves?
How gracious is God that He allows us to enjoy what we do in serving 
Him, and to have a passion for the ways in which He speaks through us? I love that someone may feel inspired to paint a picture or write a song and they will no doubt get some enjoyment from the process, but that the impact that the painting or poem has on others, or the way that God will speak through it, will last a far longer time.
So many creative people lack the confidence to ‘let their work go’, or to allow anyone else to see it, we think it isn’t good enough, or that the feedback we may receive might be too harsh or confirm our deepest fear, that we are not good enough. But it’s at this point we should stop and think, ‘What if I am preventing someone else from hearing from God? Who needs to hear this song lyric, or see this image?’ Even asking the question, ‘Who am I to judge what God wants to speak through?’
I encourage you to challenge yourself in this area with your own giftings.
But also, think back to those images, paintings, song lyrics and poems which have impacted you over your lifetime, how much poorer would our lives be without them and without the revelation, inspiration and understanding they have brought us.
This, along with the other myths that we have discussed are the reason that we want to promote a ‘safe’ environment for people to practice and grow in their creativity. It can be so scary and intimidating to share your creativity with others. Someone once described it as ‘putting your very 
soul on display’. The fear that it will be rejected, mocked, scorned can be crippling. But in a safe, creative environment this is not the case. We believe that God is creative, and that He gives us creativity primarily for Him and for others. Take a risk, and see what He can do through your creativity, He may just surprise you with His plan for your gift.
Please speak to myself [Becky Malaband] or Tim Barton about how we can help you explore this.