Have you heard of imposter syndrome? If you are a creative, and especially a Christian creative, you’ve probably experienced it, even if you’ve never heard of it. Imposter syndrome is basically a little voice in your head that asks the question, “Who are you to (do whatever it is that you’re doing)?” Today, I want to tell you, in most cases, imposter syndrome is a crock. Now of course there are exceptions. If I found myself at 57 years old with a weight that is disproportional to my height, on an NBA team, imposter syndrome would be a very real concern, but when it comes to my calling and the work that the Lord has called me to do, imposter syndrome is worse than a crock, it’s diabolical. That condemning voice that questions your worth to the kingdom is not of God.
I think it comes from comparison. “Who are you…?” often comes when you look at someone’s work who is “better than you.” They have more experience, better skills and the list goes on, but the result is the same, you look at your work, you look at theirs and you think, “Who am I and why do I keep trying? I’ll never be that good.” STOP IT!
God has not called you to be a better artist than person X. God has not called you to be better than anyone. God has called (an created) you to be you and then to work to be the best “you” you can be. Yes, you should be improving. Yes, you should be faithfully putting in the effort to develop your gift, but you are only an imposter if you are trying to be someone else. STOP THAT, TOO!
What you and I need to do, is to do what we are called to do and run our own race. We need to be faithful to our callings and make the world we are called to make. Then we need to be equally faithful at putting it out for the world to see. You are not an imposter. You are a one of a kind original creation, made by the Creator of all things. Be that creation and bring your best to the world each day. Do that consistently and you will become all that God has for you to be. You’re not an imposter, unless you’re trying to be someone else. Who are you to do what you are doing. You are a child of the God who called you out of darkness and into His wonderful light.
Go and be all that you were created to be.
AMOKArts 