The Power of Storm Preparation

Storms come in all shapes and sizes. Some are natural… like the hurricanes that hit my Florida home last fall. Others are supernatural… like those that are revealed whenever our Religious Liberty is challenged.

My Friday posts center around lessons and/or resources we can all access to strengten our Kingdom POWER in the face of religious persecution. Today’s content cites a valuable publication for businesses promoting creative expression. Creative professionals — photographers, cake artists, promotional printers, florists and other artists — who have declined to create messages that conflict with their faith.

The publication, Create Freely, is a FREE download available at the website of its developer, the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF).   https://www.adflegal.org/createfreely  Although this book is written for creative professionals, many of its wise words that could be applied to all Christians:

“We have to be authentic… it requires risk and vulnerability. It requires first knowing who we are and our values, and then learning who Christ is and what He values. And making the necessary changes to pursue that. It’s not a pain-free process…

… creating freely doesn’t mean saying ‘yes’ to everything and everyone… saying ‘no’ often leads to more freedom. When we say ‘no’ to expectations or requests that don’t line up with who we are and who we’re becoming, we’re free to let go of the ‘what ifs’ and trust that God is working all things for our good…

… When our creative work is true to who we are, and who we are is being transformed into the likeness of Jesus, our work becomes a reflection of the Gospel. Our creative work can communicate values, thoughts, and beliefs, challenging others to see the world in a new light — and discover the light of the world.”

Isn’t this a word for all of us as Christians — at work or in retirement? Anywhere, anytime… until the day we are called Home? Maybe C.S. Lewis says it best:

“A man whose life has been transformed by Christ cannot help but have his worldview show through.”

To what extent do we all resemble that remark?

How about this analogy: Aren’t meteorologists always seeking better ways to predict the path and severity of storms? So people can be prepared and property protected before the storms hit… and lives that might otherwise have been lost can be spared? Does this shoe fit for us, as we prepare for the possibility (likelihood?) of religioius persecution?

In Create Freely, the ADF lists five practical steps every creative professional can take to protect themselves, including ways to build clear evidence of your religious beliefs and creative expression into your bylaws and corporate policies. Along with an invitation to call them at 800-835-5233, so one of their attorneys can review your corporate documents and policies for free.

But first…

What do you think about ADF’s words of wisdom to us?

What will it take for us to bring those words to life in our own lives?

Please post your comments below.

Diana Furr, a.k.a. Abba’s Girl

This blog may have raised questions for you. If you’d like to connect, engage, or get further help from me, you can…  EMAIL me at [email protected]; CALL me at 863-446-1660; or request a complimentary initial CONSULT with me at  http://tinyurl.com/DianaFurr.

4 Comments

  • Debbie L says:

    Excellent! Love it. As they say to know a counterfeit, you must first know the real thing. Not that I want to say Jesus is a “thing” He is the THING, the Creator of the heavens and earth, of the universe! He is our Abba Father and He wants us to all know Him!

    • Diana Furr says:

      Amen to your comments! I read once that the FBI trains its agents to spot counterfeit money by studying the real thing. The more they know authentic currency and all its subtle nuances, the easier it is to spot the counterfeit… even when it would be missed by the casual observer. We cannot afford to be casual observers — casual Christians — and expect to survive the faith-quelling storms that are headed our way (and/or already here)!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *