Inspiration Is Not Lacking

I'm definitely an artistically-oriented person. That fact has never been more evident to me than it has lately. I have a fantasy story in the works; am looking to get more into digital-art and photo-editing; write poetry on a semi-regular basis; play the drums, etc etc. I just seem to find myself engrossed in things of an artistic nature and desire to envelope myself with such things. There is an issue, however: I'm only at the "beginner's" level of most of my artistic endeavors.

Now someone may say "Well, if you just practice those things more often then you won't be at a beginner's level anymore, right?" If that were to be the proposed question, my response would be "Yes, of course." However, I have a job--two, technically, maybe three if you count ministry responsibilities. If I'm attempting to make the foremost of that list a 40-hour-a-week affair for the sake of supporting my family, and then you add the other two responsibilities on top of that... I don't have as much time to put into furthering my artistic abilities. I would have some time to do so, of course, but not as much as I feel would be needed to really excel in those things. As strange as this may sound, I almost wish I could just "explode" with the different artistic elements I have swimming around inside of me; it feels almost as if having to facilitate the learning of and operation in these artistic elements is like being chained down, or something of that sort. Like, something on the inside of me wants to be freed, but the only way to free it is through this meticulous, very time-involved process. I suppose the "duh" moment here would be the observation that this process is called learning; nothing too amazing there. But learning takes time, and I am honestly asking the question: Do I have the time?

I suppose I am just frustrated. Did God really create an artist in me? And if so, are these gifts that He has given me being used to their full-potential? I desire to be a good steward of anything and everything He entrusts to my care, but that's definitely easier said than done. Especially my time.

...

Hm.

Especially my time.

Insert a big, bright light-bulb. I suppose I've just come full-circle, and also perhaps stumbled upon the answer to my questioning. Funny how that happens. Perhaps it's not that I lack for the necessary time to put forth into the talents He has given me, but that I struggle maintaining a good balance of the time that I already have. I've known that this is an issue with me, but up until now have failed to apply that truth to this particular element of my life.

Then God, please help me with my time-management. And I thank You for helping me.