Justin McRoberts - It Is What You Make of It

In this amazing book, McRoberts does what all great artists do: he invites us into the transformation that hes been willing to do first. That transformation is the hard, vulnerable, and life-giving work of not letting things just be as they seemingly are, but performing the alchemy of turning it into creative gold. The journey of learning how to do this is essential, and McRoberts is the best of guides.

SCOTT ERICKSON

AUTHOR OF HONEST ADVENT: AWAKENING TO THE WONDER OF GOD-WITH-US THEN, HERE, AND NOW

Justin McRoberts is a consummate storyteller, and through story It Is What You Make of It imparts its giftto remind us that we are made in the image of the Creator, that we are beloved works in progress with infinite opportunities to make more of what we have and who we are.

CAMERON DEZEN HAMMON

AUTHOR OF THIS IS MY BODY: A MEMOIR OF RELIGIOUS AND ROMANTIC OBSESSION

Throughout the years, Justins words have deeply resonated with me, and this book is no exception. With humility and honesty, Justin opens our eyes to see the often forgotten truth: we are beloved children of God, created by a God who created us for more than we can imagine. Throughout these pages, we are beautifully reminded that our time on earth deeply matters, and this life is not for nothing but most certainly for something. If youre looking to be inspired and encouraged, this book is for you.

TANNER OLSON

POET AND AUTHOR OF IM ALL OVER THE PLACE

Most books on creativity are forgettable, and most books on purpose feel derivative. It Is What You Make of It is neither of those. Justin McRoberts has written an original, memorable book that will change the way you understand meaning and imagination. His stories and insights are more than regurgitated truisms; they are birthed from the experiences of a person who has spent years doing the hard work of actually creating. This book weaves together humor and advice, peppering each page with practical wisdom that any creative can incorporate into their own life rhythms. If you believe the world as it exists can be better and more beautifuland if you feel called to help midwife that futurethen you cant afford not to read this book.

JONATHAN MERRITT

CONTRIBUTING WRITER FOR THE ATLANTIC AND AUTHOR OF LEARNING TO SPEAK GOD FROM SCRATCH

Justins real-life storytelling strips away all pretense and enables us to access a creative wisdom we all need. It Is What You Make of It hits you at the heart level and invites you to take an honest look at the motivations and inspirations that drive us forward.

STEPHEN ROACH

HOST OF THE MAKERS & MYSTICS PODCAST AND THE BREATH & THE CLAY CREATIVE ARTS MOVEMENT

With humility, humor, and hard-won hope, Justin invites us all to take an honest look at how our experiences (even the cringe-worthy ones) spark our creative spirits and shape our souls. It Is What You Make of It is like hanging out with a friend who manages to ask deep questions while making you laugh (and rethink some things) along the way.

KAYLA CRAIG

AUTHOR OF TO LIGHT THEIR WAY: A COLLECTION OF PRAYERS AND LITURGIES FOR PARENTS; COFOUNDER AND HOST OF UPSIDE DOWN PODCAST

Justins ability to convincingly insist that there truly are no dead ends is both wondrously and painfully inspiring. It springs forth hope, even in the places I didnt want it to grow. Sometimes, to hope is to hurt, and It Is What You Make of It refuses me the permission to lay down my dreams and simply settle into what is. It calls me forward to keep reaching for what could be and to resist giving in to that sinister temptation that I am nothing more than a helpless victim in this dance called life. I think it will do the same for you.

MIKE DONEHEY

SONGWRITER AND AUTHOR

Justin McRoberts is one of the most prolific and gifted creators I know. It Is What You Make of It is a generous, heartfelt exploration of creativity, art, and the human experience. I was surprised by Justins honesty in this book, and his clear desire to help usto help mebecome better artists and better human beings. Highly recommended.

MATT MIKALATOS

AUTHOR OF JOURNEY TO LOVE

I find myself audibly saying Yes! to so much of Justins work, and this book is no exception. It Is What You Make of It is a call to move beyond simply allowing life to just happen to us. Justin invites us to ask the question, What are we willing to do to make our life an adventure of creation and cocreation? Each story will challenge you to ask, What if there is more? What if each failure and success is moving us beyond just saying it is what it isand into it will be what we make it? This book is a memoir, a challenge, and a divine invitation.

SARAH HEATH

SPEAKER, PASTOR, AUTHOR OF WHATS YOUR STORY? SEEING YOUR LIFE THROUGH GODS EYES, AND COHOST OF THE MAKING SPACES AND THE ASK YOUR AUNTIES PODCASTS

It Is What You Make of It is a must-read for creators who feel stuck and uncertain of their next move. Justin McRoberts uses his familiar humor-filled tone to pull artists out of performance-based performance and into the understanding of transformational art (and life) making with and for others.

If good art is hospitality (and it is), this book sets the table.

JOY IKE

SINGER, SONGWRITER, CREATOR

It Is What You Make of It

2021 Justin McRoberts

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Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by W Publishing, an imprint of Thomas Nelson.

The author is represented by Alive Literary Agency, www.aliveliterary.com.

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Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version. Public domain.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org

Scripture quotations marked NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible. Copyright 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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ISBN 978785239888 (audiobook)

ISBN 978-0-7852-3981-9 (eBook)

ISBN 978-0-7852-3980-2 (TP)

Epub Edition March 2021 9780785239819

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data