It is not typical of businesses to speak on their weaknesses and struggles. However, this blog and this website is more than just a business to me. Mikecaptures.com is also a documentation of my life and my photography. Photography is more than a business, it is my art, a part of my identity, and more importantly, it is the ministry that God has placed me in. I’m not writing this blog to win anyone over to my business or to inspire people. More than anything, I’m writing this blog to inspire myself.
The Season of Uninspiration Begins
2018 was probably the busiest year I’ve had as far as photography goes. By the end of the year, I was so burnt out. Photography was no longer enjoyable and I couldn’t picture pursuing it any longer. I even placed all of my photography gear for sale (I ended up pulling those posts down). My art had become work.
The Spiritual Impact of a Season of Being Uninspired
Feeling uninspired was more than just a mental state. Losing inspiration affected my closeness to God. God has given photography as a gift, a passion, and a burden. Feeling uninspired affected my faithfulness to God’s calling for me. As it affected my faithfulness to God, it affected my relationship with Him.
For me, being uninspired bred static-ness. I just didn’t want to do anything that related to photography.
It’s also important to mention that I’m leading a media ministry team at my church. In this season, the ministry became bland. I’ve lost sight of what God has called me to do. There is a feeling of guilt in me. How can I inspire my team for the ministry if I’m not inspired?
How to Get Over the Season of Uninspiration
Have you ever seen the vacation kiosks at the mall? As you approach, the salesman will try to sell you on a cruise or a vacation by the sea. He goes on and on about the amenities, the food, and fun things to do at the resort, BUT HE’S NEVER BEEN THERE.
I don’t want to be that guy. Maybe I’ll update this section once I’ve been there and have overcome this season.
My Next Moves
I might not know how to get over this season; however, I know what God has called me to faithfulness.
So, in this time and context, how does it look like to be faithful to the creative gifts that God has given me?
Go Up to the Mountain
I work a regular 9-5. When I get home, I do more work with my photography business; play with my daughter; cook for the family; manage the bills; do some chores; respond to work emails that come from our overseas team; sleep when I can. It’s a busy life.
For me, my next move isn’t about slowing life down. My next move is about intentionally creating time to go up the mountain. This is both figurative and literal. We see many times that Moses & Elijah climbed up the mountain, and God meets them there. We read about Moses speaking to God as if they were face to face. That is the intimacy that I long for. And if I am to get out of this slump, intimacy with God will be the driving force. So, I plan on making time to take hikes up the mountain. I’ll take my camera to capture my journey, my Bible (because God speaks through His Word), and a snack. I’m maneuvering my schedule this weekend to start this.
Be in Community
The Church is a blessing to believers. It is a place of encouragement. However, if you want to be encouraged, then you have to be transparent. In the next few days, I’ll be reaching out to my pastors, my wife, my team, and my church for prayer.
Ask God
I need to pray and ask for inspiration & help. The Bible tells us that, “You do not have, because you do not ask.” If that’s true, then the best solution to the problem at hand is to ask God.
Keep Doing the Work
Earlier in this blog, I said that being uninspired bred static-ness or inactivity. Even in my season of being uninspired, how do I remain active? I think the answer is to just do it. Being uninspired is not an excuse to be unfaithful. Whether it’s capturing my family memories, doing work for clients with the help of the best wordpress hosting company to develop my business, or working in the ministry, I need to learn how to still give 100%.
Conclusion
Writing this blog was my first step in being faithful to God’s work. I believe that God has called me to document this season of my life and I’m excited to see where He is leading me as I try to remain faithful. I have faith that God honors my tiny little steps of faithfulness and that He will bring inspiration to my work as I align myself with the good works that He has laid out for me.
So if you’re feeling uninspired: spend time with God in the mountains, be in community, ask God for inspiration, keep chugging along, and have faith that God inspires those who are faithful to Him.
P.S.
I feel a little more inspired after writing this.
