The ART of GROWING Against the FLOW

For years, I studied principles of success and faithfully pursued the gifts and talents God gave me. I created an acronym from ART: God’s Anointing Reveals Our Talents. ART empowers us to live and grow on purpose.

Everyone possesses God-given ART that fills them with passion and purpose. Faith-filled believers pose a powerful threat to the Kingdom of Darkness. Our spiritual adversaries want us to fade into obscurity or abruptly halt our progress. They resist our efforts to discover and grow into our God-given talents. Steven Pressfield and Seth Godin, in their books The War of Art and The Icarus Deception, write about how “the resistance” plagues people, pulling them away from doing their work. Yes, ART requires effort, demanding that we keep our focus on the prize and see it through to completion. As Christians, we face this battle daily. The flow represents the path of least resistance—the easy way the majority follow, staying in their comfort zones and avoiding the discomfort of growth. But deep down, you know God has called you to something greater. You are a one-in-400-quadrillion miracle, a precious gift from God, uniquely designed for a divine purpose that is waiting to be revealed.

Spiritual growth doesn’t come naturally to a carnal man. Growth requires a spiritual transformation. In 1 Corinthians 2:14, Paul writes, “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” Spiritual growth requires a shift from living by the flesh to being led by the Spirit, embracing God’s anointing to reveal your talents and fulfill your highest calling in Him.

ART is inside you. It’s not something you create; it’s something you reveal. It’s the work that only you can do, shaped by your experiences, your struggles, and your dreams. ART is the intersection of your purpose and your passion—where what you are meant to do meets the will to make it happen.

I created an acronym for ART to illustrate how I believe God ANOINTING Reveals Our Talents and empowers us to Live and Grow on Purpose.

Consider the contractor who builds not just structures but leaves a legacy with each project. The painter, who doesn’t merely fill a canvas but conveys emotion and story with every brushstroke. The writer, whose passion drives them to craft words that inspire and resonate. The teacher, who molds young minds, shapes the future. And the first responder, who steps into danger without hesitation, is driven by a deep calling to protect and serve. Each of these individuals lives out their ART, offering the world something only they can give.

But ART isn’t always easy. It’s the gritty work of pushing past doubt and fear, standing in the face of resistance, and saying, “I will keep going.” ART is the act of showing up every day, even when the outcome is uncertain, trusting that your work matters. It’s about the quiet, often unseen moments where you choose to be faithful, to keep moving toward the vision that burns within you.

ART is not defined by external validation or applause. It’s the work that comes from a place deep within, not because you seek recognition, but because you have no choice. It’s the fire that keeps you up late at night, the voice that calls you to rise early and get to work. It’s the drive to leave a mark in the world, even if that mark is small, even if only a few notice.

ART is the expression of your deepest purpose, the gift you were born to give the world. It’s the talent you have to offer, honed through struggle, tested in fire, and revealed in time. Your ART is what makes you different, what makes you part of something bigger, what makes you unique.

To grow against the flow, you must be willing to swim upstream. It won’t be easy—there will be challenges, obstacles, and times when you’ll feel like you’re the only one fighting. But remember, that’s where growth happens. The challenges you face are not obstacles—they are opportunities to grow, to refine your character, and to step into the person God has created you to be. God uses those challenges to test and refine you, just as He did with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:25). The fire didn’t destroy them—it refined them. And it will refine you, too.

When doubt creeps in, when the voices of discouragement begin to speak, remember: You are not defined by your circumstances or the opinions of others. The only voice that matters is God’s, and He has already spoken over your life. He has called you to greatness. His anointing will reveal your true talents and prepare you to step into your purpose with confidence (Job 12:22).

As you take each step on this journey, remember: God has called you His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10). You are His work of art. The world doesn’t need another copy of what already exists. The world needs you—uniquely you, with your talents, your strengths, your anointing. When you step into your purpose, you will make an eternal impact.