For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.
Ephesians 5:8 (HCSB)
In addition to being a writer, I’m also a photographer. And one of the earliest lessons I learned about good photography was that exposure matters.
To be non-technical, for an image to work, there has to be light—and plenty of it—or the picture won’t look right. Not enough light means it’s a blurry, dark mess that’s unrecognizable. No matter how much post-editing we do to an underexposed picture, it can’t be fixed. On the other hand, too much light will blow out a picture—littering an otherwise beautiful image with harsh white spots that can’t be toned down. Somewhere in between is the perfect exposure.
I’ve discovered that developing a life of creating is a lot like finding that balance.
When We Try to Create in the Dark
I can’t create well in the dark. And I don’t just mean physically.
The dark is a scary place. When I’m there, my fears take root and grow. Doubt creeps in. Comparison whispers lies. Discouragement settles in quietly but deeply.
As a creative, trying to work in the dark means trying to compose my thoughts apart from God.
As a believer, He is the light-bearer for my life. His insight and illumination bring clarity to everything I create. When I don’t spend time with Him—in prayer, in Scripture, in quiet reflection—my work begins to lose its shine.
It may still be technically correct. It may even look good. But something is missing.
The Danger of False Light
But there’s another side to this.
Overexposure.
And no—that doesn’t come from too much of God. There can never be too much of Him. Ever.
That destructive light comes when I spend too much time in the false light of the world.
- It’s the light of comparison.
- The light of pressure.
- The light of “not enough.”
It tells me I’ll never be good enough. That I’m behind. That I need to keep up with trends, post more, produce more, do more.
And when I stay in that kind of light too long, it begins to distort everything.
Just like an overexposed photograph, the details disappear. The clarity is lost. The beauty is washed out. And the message I’m trying to communicate gets buried under the noise.
Composing a Life in the Light
As both a creative and a photographer, I’m learning to pay attention to the light around me.
Not just how much—but what kind.
Am I grounded in the steady, life-giving light of God’s truth? Or am I chasing the harsh, shifting light of the world?
Because the quality of the light determines the quality of the image. And the same is true for what we create.
Why This Matters at The Well
This is one of the reasons I’m so excited about gathering with you all at The Well.
As creatives, we spend so much time pouring out—writing, designing, speaking, building, creating—that it’s easy to become depleted without even realizing it.
The Well is a place to step back into the right light. It’s a space to be refreshed. To be reminded of truth. To reconnect with the Source of everything we’re called to create. And it’s a place where we can learn practical ways to align our creative work with our calling—without the noise, pressure, or distraction.
A Simple Invitation
So, here’s my encouragement—for you and for me:
- Let’s be intentional about the light we’re standing in.
- Let’s spend time with the One who illuminates our path and gives meaning to our message.
- Let’s create from a place of clarity instead of confusion… from truth instead of pressure… from calling instead of comparison.
And then—together—let’s use what we create to bring light into a world that desperately needs it.
I Can’t Wait
I’m so looking forward to being part of The Well this year. Not just because I get to teach—but because I get to gather with other creatives who are seeking the same thing: to create with purpose, clarity, and faith.
I can’t wait to meet you at The Well.
