For the Artist Wrestling With Purpose

On a warm, Miami, Christmas night in 2018, a drunk driver hit our car.

During the post-crash officer small talk, one of the cops murmured, “Five years couldn’t come fast enough,” regarding his impending retirement. You could commend him for years on the force, but he was clearly worn down and empty. Somewhere along the way, he’d come to believe his life’s worth was just about doing the job he was good at. His comments made me think of Titus’ life.

Titus reminds us that our calling isn’t locked into one role. Titus wasn’t just “the church planter guy.” He was, of course, well known as the one entrusted with the church planting work in Crete. Scripture actually showcases a seasonal range to Titus’ life of ministry.

In one season, he was a Paul-follower (Galatians 2:1), in another, a news-bearer (2 Corinthians 7:6-7) and a fund-collector (2 Corinthians 8:6, 16-17), and finally, a partner Paul entrusted to Crete (Titus 3:12). Seasons changed, the jobs shifted. But what stayed the same was that he was faithful, willing, and useful to God.

That’s the pattern: God puts certain loves in your heart. He nudges you through leaders you trust. He opens doors, and he leaves you in places for a time.

Your part? Be a trustworthy worker. Be a lover of people. Step into the projects God puts in front of you, whether they last five months or five years.

So if you’re an artist wondering if your work really counts, take heart. Your art doesn’t have to look like “ministry” to be kingdom work. It just has to flow from the gifts God embedded in you and a heart willing to serve. That’s how you’ll find yourself caught up in something bigger than you imagined.

As I think back to that night of the car accident, I ask myself, “who crashed harder, the car or the officer?”