Your Inspired Life

God often speaks to me in pictures, little glimpses of the possibilities He is shaping within me. I treasure those pictures. I return to them often, holding them before Him and asking, “Lord, how am I doing in carrying out the vision You’ve placed in me?”

Years ago, He convicted me about something I used to say without much thought: “I’m not a people person.” Though He didn’t show me a literal picture then, His correction was piercing and undeniable. Since that moment, I’ve leaned into His desire to reshape me, and the journey has been both humbling and transformative.

Now, if you know me, you know I enjoy watching TV, especially talent shows like American Idol and America’s Got Talent. Growing up, I was enamoured by Simon Cowell, the so-called “mean judge.” From 2002 to 2010, his blunt critiques became infamous. While I often valued the truth in his feedback, I couldn’t help but think, “Simon, surely there’s a kinder way to say that.” Fast forward to 2016, when he joined the panel of judges on America’s Got Talent, and he was a completely different guy. Watching him over the seasons, I became convinced that fatherhood had softened him. Like Shrek or the Grinch, his heart seemed changed by the unconditional love he carries for his son.

Simon Cowell is wildly different from the man who was portrayed on American Idol those many years ago. Regardless of whether this was a production gimmick to increase viewers or truly was who he was at the time, having, in fact, had a change in his heart towards life and people, I don’t know, and I probably never will. What I do know is what I see. The man is warm, caring, and concerned about others. He talks with respect to contestants, embraces people from every background, and even steps beyond the judges’ desk to encourage performers and greet the audience. It’s a radical shift in character, and a powerful picture God has been using to inspire me.

Through Simon’s transformation, the Holy Spirit is layering the conviction He gave me with inspiration for continued execution. I see in Simon humility, kindness, and a refusal to take himself too seriously, all qualities I know God wants to keep growing in me. When I compare that picture to who I am now, I see both how far I’ve come from being a self-proclaimed “non-people-person,” and how much further I can still grow. Oh, the great work God has done, and continues to do, in me! I’m inspired to keep growing and leaning in to what He sees for me in this area. 

For there is a spirit in the people of the earth, the breath of the Almighty One, and this breath of God gives them true insight and understanding. ~ Job 32:8 (TPT)

We often think of inspiration as fleeting, like a spark that comes and goes. And yes, aspects of that are involved in being inspired, but to fully accept that idea is to say that there is no consistency in inspiration. Lately, I’ve found that a walk with God breeds consistent inspiration, and that, unlike what the world has portrayed inspiration to be, it is simply yet extraordinarily the breath of God. The fact that I’m alive and breathing that God-given breath is, in itself, inspiration.

God didn’t give us His breath merely to exist. He gave it so we could live inspired lives fueled by His Spirit to produce fruit that carries eternal weight. As such, I believe that an inspired, God-breathed life exudes optimism, faith, positivity and an openness to the possibilities of God. This is why there is such an attack on our mood and our feelings. If you think about it, these are what are inconsistent, not inspiration. The Holy Spirit is never depressed or discouraged, and I find that when I tap into Him, His presence and His breath, I’m recalibrated to the state of inspiration God has set for me. By this, I’m fully convinced that inspiration isn’t something we aimlessly chase; it’s something we reverently steward. And stewarding it means guarding the conditions of my heart and life, so His breath can keep flowing freely. Here are three ways I’m learning to do that:

Keep Good Company

Who surrounds you? The people you walk with daily either fan your flame or drain it. While we’re called to love and engage with everyone, our closest circle should be people who inspire us, people who push us to grow, build, share, create, repent and keep pressing into what God has for us. If you want to live a life reverently stewarding the inspiration God has breathed into your life, you must keep good company. Ask God to send you life-giving relationships, and watch how He faithfully “staffs your life” with those who keep you inspired.

Feed Your Soul

If you are walking in God’s plan for your life, your inspiration tank will often be drawn from. People will come to receive from you, and that’s good! But if you’re not returning to His presence, the source of inspiration, to fill back up again, you will live a life of depletion, frustration and even resentment. Jesus Himself modelled this balance, withdrawing to the Father often. Beyond the foundation of spending time in God’s presence and His Word, what do inspiration deposits look like for you? Think about things such as music, beauty, rest, creativity, and pursue those deposits intentionally. If you want to live a life reverently stewarding the inspiration God has breathed into your life, you must feed your soul well.

Pursue Clarity

We live in a world clouded with distraction, social media noise, unhealthy entertainment, gossip, clutter, and busyness. All of these dim the clarity we need to live inspired. Inspiration thrives in a clear mind, a guarded heart, and a focused spirit. Even our physical space, if not well kept, has the potential to clog and cloud our inspiration. So, limit distractions and block negative energy. Guard your vision and the dreams God has given you. Be deliberate about what you allow your mind to ingest and practice gratitude unapologetically. If you want to live a life reverently stewarding the inspiration God has breathed into your life, you must pursue clarity in more ways than one.

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At the end of the day, I want to live inspired, and I believe you do too. Inspiration is God’s breath in motion, and it is available daily. As we step into the final stretch of 2025, I dare you, no, I double-dog dare you, to lean into the Spirit like never before. Ask boldly for His provision, His power, His breath, and His clarity. Surround yourself with the right people, feed your soul and pursue clarity with all your heart. May these last months of this year be your most inspired yet.