Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: Advice

There is a fine line between the artist and their art.  The nature of the artist is to invest their talent, heart, experiences, dreams, pain, and beliefs into their art form. When you have that much personal connection with what you do, it can be difficult to hear criticism of any form towards it.  It is as if they are attacking the artist personally.  However, criticism is a part of the growing process for anyone in the arts.   Our field uses the word criticism frequently & at times flippantly,  but at the heart of it is really giving advice or braking down the different aspects of the created work.  The general public often equates "criticism" with negative connotations, and though it can be delivered with negativity....it is meant to help the artist take a more objective look at what they are doing.  If the artists listens to the constructive criticism to look more objectively at their work, they can improve upon it and grow personally & artistically. 

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness

 of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice. Proverbs 27:9

Though I do not always receive advice & criticism well(who does?), I will always consider what is being said(often at a later date when I've had time to process).  I think it would be unwise just to listen to what anyone & everyone says to you as 100% truth, and then act upon it.  If you operated that way, you would lose yourself in the midst of trying to please everyone else. Though I will consider criticism/advice given by someone I don't really know, I listen closely to my confidants/friends.  The people that know me, my heart, my passion, and my vision will be able to provide perspective in light of that knowledge.  I have people that can literally say ANYTHING to me, and I will receive what they say.  They have earned the right to speak truth to me.  I know that they have my best interest in mind, and would never say something just to hurt me.  I really love the book of Proverbs.  It is all about dishing out sound advice.  It does it in a way that is not meant to hurt, but to encourage, challenge, and build up the believer.  We need people in our life that will speak like Proverbs does to us....clearly, practically, and with a heart to see us at our best.  To call us out when we need it.  To affirm us when we are unsure. To provide direction when we feel lost.  I am thankful for the book of Proverbs, and I am thankful for friends that speak to be as a modern day version of Proverbs.  I hope & pray you have that in your life.  If you do not, pray that God will bring those type of friends to you, or maybe that your heart would be receptive to those people He may have already placed in your life! It will change you for the better....and for God's glory!