Fruitfulness. How to succeed as a kingdom creative
“God wants you to be successful!”
We’ve all heard that. Some of us don’t believe it. Some of us think it’s a doctrine of demons that’s rooted in the false prosperity gospel.
The truth? Yes, God does want you to be successful. I believe that He is a good father who wants all of his children to be successful.
“May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”
–Psalm 20:4
But what if success wasn't the end result that God wanted us to aim for as His ambassadors on the earth? What if success was just the starting point for where our focus should be in all that we do? What if by aiming for success (success that God delights in partnering with us on) we are actually aiming for less than what we are called to?
This applies to all believers, but what about creative people like you and I–designers, developers, writers, musicians, freelancers and more–what if just aiming to be successful was settling for something far less than what God has for us as our inheritance?
As followers of Jesus, I believe that are not called to just be successful. I believe that we are actually called to be fruitful, and this article is about unpacking what that looks like Kingdom creative people like you and I.
...so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: being fruitful in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God...
–Colossians 1:9-10
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Fruitfulness
The complete and natural overflow, collective impact, and multiplication one’s life experiences from a place of sonship, oneness, and rest as a result of remaining connected to the true vine, Jesus.
vs
Success
Achieving desired results through hard work, wisdom, or revelation
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You see, successfulness and fruitfulness are NOT the same thing. Anyone can learn the principals of success and become a “successful” person. People who don’t know Jesus can make billions of dollars. People who’ve never encountered God’s love are capable of achieving extraordinary things.
But fruitfulness?
Fruitfulness is the highest level of achievement that a kingdom creative person can reach. Fruitfulness is only available to the sheep that know His voice and follow Him.
There are a lot of creative people in God’s kingdom who are successful, but my prayer for you is that you step into what Jesus really has for you – fruitfulness.
Hot take: Fruitful kingdom creatives > successful kingdom creatives
Fruitful creatives make an impact far beyond the X's and O's of their skill. Fruitful creatives leave a fragrance of heaven wherever they go. Fruitful creatives multiply and accelerate their gifting, skills, and impact they have on others. Fruitful creatives mark whatever they touch with blessing and increase.
As creative people who live our lives on a mission to follow Jesus and make Him known in everything we do, we are capable of achieving so much more than just success. We are able to build more than bank balances and portfolios.
My prayer for you reading this is that you would stop aiming just to be successful, and instead turn your gaze upwards to where you and Christ are seated and allow the overflow of the intimacy you have with Him to make you a fruitful creative pro. This is your inheritance.
To help you aim for fruitfulness in all you do, here's a few ways you can spot the difference between just being successful, and truly being a fruitful kingdom creative person:
Fruitfulness vs Success
Success is temporary but fruitfulness is eternal.
Anyone can be successful but only sons and daughters can be fruitful.
Success has to be earned, but fruitfulness comes from rest.
Success is about what you can gain, but fruitfulness is about what you give.
Success impacts the external world around you, but fruitfulness comes from inside of you.
Success can be learned but fruitfulness can only be stewarded.
Success requires hustle, determination, and hard work. Fruitfulness requires surrender, intimacy, and proximity to Jesus.
Success glorifies the person who has it. Fruitfulness glorifies Jesus.
Success is synonymous with money, but fruitfulness is synonymous with impact.
Success is never satisfied but fruitfulness leads to contentment.
Success is a gateway to greed, but fruitfulness leads to more of Jesus.
Success pertains to a specific set of outcomes. Fruitfulness touches everything around you—your whole life.
Go and be fruitful!
For Glory and Beauty.
Your fruitful creative friend,
Brandon
