Lampstands, Doorways, and Gatekeepers (Oh my)!
How these metaphors can (and should) shape your creative life.
Hey there, friend!
Earlier this spring, I had the incredible opportunity to join Joanna Weaver’s group coaching program for Christian Content Creators. It was such a blessing, and one particular takeaway really stuck with me: the concept of a lampstand.1
Now, I’m sure you know what a lampstand is—a stand designed to hold a lamp and illuminate a space. But Joanna’s take was different. She spoke about her lampstand as the “places” (virtual or physical) where she felt God calling her to hang her “lamp” (His message through her). She admitted, like many of us, to having a love-hate relationship with social media. But she realized that she’s not called to hustle to grow her platform—she’s called to simply shine her light in a world that can be dark and depressing.
This perspective shift was freeing. I wrote a post about this last year, sharing how I’m changing the way I show up on social media, and this idea has only deepened since then.
In Matthew 5:15-16, Jesus talks about not hiding our light under a bowl but placing it on a lampstand so it can give light to everyone in the house. This concept has become a powerful symbol for me in how I approach my community—whether it's social media, my website, or this very newsletter.
For the longest time, I worried if my light was reaching anyone. But I’ve learned that my job isn’t to make the light shine brighter or chase down people to show them my light. My job is to faithfully place it on the lampstand and trust that God will lead those who need it to see it.
So, what about you? What is your light? What is your lampstand? What does it look like for you to “place it on a lampstand”? Maybe for you, it’s:
Showing up on social media as your authentic self.
Seeking out opportunities to share your message with others.
Creating a safe space for yourself and others to feel seen and heard.
When we trust that God has given us a light and provided the lampstand, we can let go of the need to chase others down with it. Instead, we can stand confidently, knowing that God will use our light to reach those who need it most.
And as I’ve placed my light on the lampstand, God has begun to illuminate the doorways He wants me to walk through.
A doorway2, as you know, is simply an opening that allows you to pass from one place to another. And I’ve come to see these doorways as the opportunities that God opens for us without us having to force them. Revelation 3:8 says, “I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut.” This has been a constant reminder that when God opens a door, it’s by His will, not by my striving.
The doors that have opened for me recently—new writing opportunities, speaking engagements, and connections with kindred spirits—have been ones I hadn’t even considered knocking on. Yet, there they were, inviting me to step through. But even when we find ourselves in front of an open door, it’s important to pause, pray, and ask God to guide our steps as we walk through.
This truth is particularly freeing as I find myself asking different questions in response to my circumstances.
This brings me to the idea of the gatekeeper3. We often think of gatekeepers as those who control access to opportunities. It’s easy to believe that if we just impress the right person, they can open the door for us. But Isaiah 22:22 reminds us that God is the true gatekeeper: “I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.”
This truth has freed me to shift my focus from trying to impress people to aligning my work with God’s purpose. People may have influence, but they don’t hold the keys to my future—God does.
What doors has God opened for you that you might have overlooked? Or maybe, what closed doors are you still trying to pry open, or sweet-talk the gatekeeper into unlocking?
I encourage you to trust that God is guiding your steps, opening the right doors, and shining His light through you.
Since we've been discussing lights and lampstands, I'm thrilled to highlight two of my clients who are shining brightly with their recently published books.
Aly Elliott: Her book, The Right Way to Drown is a heartfelt memoir about the intersection of grief, loss and creativity and faith.
In this deeply moving memoir, Aly chronicles her journey through grief. She reveals how she found solace through paint and pixels. A blend of personal reflection and candid storytelling, readers will discover how she found purpose and resilience through her creative expression, ultimately leading to her career as an award-winning Bereavement Artist. The Right Way to Drown is a testament to the enduring power of art and faith in navigating life's greatest losses.
Karen Stirmel: Her book, Are you Rapture Ready? is a quick read about the rapture is and how you can prepare for it. (available for $.99 on kindle right now!)
This book is your lifeline to the saving grace which is only available through Jesus Christ. It is your guide to understanding the rapture, why it is so important and how to prepare for it, beforethe rapture happens. Do you want to go to heaven or―the other place? Find out what you need to learn to make this ultimate decision about your soul. Open your heart and see how you can make sure that you are included in the rapture of the church.
Also here is a fun fact, both of them feature their original artwork on either the cover or back cover!
Lastly, I'd love to share a few potential "doorway opportunities" that could be just what you need to step into the next phase of your journey.
35 Tribe Conference for Christian Content Creators: Don’t miss out—sign up before it’s too late!
Come Away and Rest Awhile: All-Inclusive Reflection Retreat 2025: Spots are limited. Reserve your spot by October 15. Below is a just a glimpse at why silent retreats can be so powerful. You can watch the full video my friend and co-leader of the retreat, Carrie and I recorded about our silent retreat experiences and why we’re so passionate about them here.
And if you’re ready to secure your spot, here is the link to register! Or if you have any questions, just hit reply and ask away!
Thank you for sticking with me through this jam-packed newsletter! I hope it’s left you feeling inspired and encouraged to reflect on the lampstands, doorways, gatekeepers in your own life.
Cheering you on in your writing and creative journey!
P.S: A special welcome to my new subscribers, especially those who joined from the Thriving Author Summit—I’m so glad you’re here!
P.P.S: As all my kids are finally back in school, I’m wanting to revisit the importance of rest—especially for us as writers and creatives. So be on the look-out for a mini-series about the importance of rest as faith-filled creatives coming soon!
In the context of creative and spiritual journeys, a lampstand represents the platform or space where you share your message, talents, or light with others. It’s where you place the gifts or message God has given you, allowing it to shine and reach those who need to see it. This could be through social media, a blog, a book, or any other medium where you publicly express your calling or purpose.
A doorway symbolizes opportunities or paths that God opens for you to walk through. These are moments or chances in life where you are given the opportunity to step into something new, whether it's a project, relationship, job, or any situation that aligns with God’s plan for you.
Traditionally, a gatekeeper is someone who has control over access to a particular place, opportunity, or resource. The term is often used to refer to those who appear to have power over our fate, like editors, agents, or decision-makers in our careers. However, the true gatekeeper, according to faith, is God, who ultimately controls which doors open or close in our lives. He is the one who determines our path, regardless of earthly gatekeepers.
Insightful and uplifting, as always. Thanks for hanging your lamp near MY lampstand.
Encouraging and right on!