Muses #5: Karren Lovejoy

Our modern day Ghanaian woman and lover of the Lord

This week’s muse is the lovely,

Karren Lovejoy

—the brain behind

Have You Died Today?

here on Substack and Welcome to the Kingdom on all podcast platforms. She’s on YouTube, she’s blessing our timelines, and she’s just an all-round creative genius tbh. I’ve been following her for yearssss, literally since secondary school so this is very full circle for me.

What I’ve always admired is how vocal she’s been about her relationship with God in a way that’s always felt real, without ever having losing her personality (more on this later so keep reading).

I reached out, and we ended up getting on a call just to get to know each other better and laugh about how she even saw my message in the first place. The story is actually crazy in a divine sort of way.

But anyway, everyone say hi Karren!

What’s a recent musing you’ve had?

KL: My friend Alice Otieno makes the best playlists on Spotify, and they have been the soundtrack to my year. No matter what I’m doing, I have one of her playlists in the background, and they’ve introduced me to so many great artists, as well as expanded my mind and creativity. I’m launching a sound segment with her on my Substack next month, where she’ll curate monthly playlists for my readers. I’m so excited!

In This House, We Will Praise

From YouTube to writing, podcasting, and even a fashion brand—how would you describe the threads that tie your creative work together?

KL: Me. I am the thread haha. But really, it’s just whatever I find interesting. I’m a big go-getter, so whenever I really enjoy something, my mind immediately goes to ‘ooo I think I can do that’. Probably not healthy, but it’s gotten me to where I am today.

You’ve spoken about how your creativity and faith aren’t in competition but flow together. Has that always been the case? Or was there a moment you had to reconcile the two?

KL: That was not always the case. Before I decided to follow God wholeheartedly,  I felt like I was pushing the bounds of my creativity. Once I made that decision, it suddenly felt like I needed to look a certain way, sound a certain way, and create a certain way. It’s not till this year that God started undoing that thinking for me. Looking back I can see that God helped me creatively all along, but it’s different now. Now I know I really don’t have to do what anyone else is doing. I can just do me, because God is in me, so how I choose to express God in me is unique to me and me alone.

What role does intimacy with God play in your creative process? Are there moments where you’ve felt Him leading you in how or what to create?

KL: God definitely gives me all my ideas. I used to think He would only give me creativity if I sat down with my Bible in front of me—which definitely happens—but He also gives me creativity when I watch francophone West African films, dance to Portuguese music, or lay in a bed of grass. He’s in everything, and He’s always talking. Not putting God in a box is key. 

In a world where both religious and societal spaces can place limits on individuality, how have you held onto your God-given uniqueness without shrinking or conforming?

KL: It’s definitely challenging and I sometimes struggle with the desire to fit in, especially living in these large metropolitan cities like New York and Los Angeles. That’s where actually reading your bible everyday is important. It gives room to hear what God’s voice sounds like amidst the noise.

You shared a powerful video about not sacrificing individuality for acceptance. What sparked that thought, and how do you continue to protect your originality?

KL: I started to see God in everything. God gave me a revelation that He made the birds, and he also made the trees. He made tigers, and made sheep. All of his creations are so wildly different from each other but each complete in their own way. It made me embrace how different I felt from others, and realized my differences are for a reason! I am complete just the way He made me.

Do you ever feel tension between vulnerability and obedience when sharing your work, especially in moments that feel deeply personal?

KL: I feel like my vulnerability is a  form of obedience. Sometimes there are things that I know other people would probably not share, but there’s a compelling force pushing me to share it. I rarely think something is too personal though, until I get feedback like ‘wow that was really brave’ and I’m like… oh!

Have you ever felt limited or pressured to fit into a niche? How did you overcome that to stand in your own lane?

Will report back when I find out!

You’re in a season where some parts of your creative expression like the podcast or your fashion brand are on pause. There’s such a grace in the way you allow space for what needs to rest. Is that an intentional? Do you seek clarity with God first, or do you find life reveals what needs to pause and what’s asking to grow?

KL: Thank you so much. To be honest when something is on hold, I feel like I’m failing at it. It has not been a graceful pause behind the scenes, but I’m happy it looks that way. Life definitely reveals what needs to pause, and it usually looks like the flow of ideas and vision just stops. I can’t see beyond the current point for a specific project, then I know I need to pause. I’m coming into a period where I feel like they all need to grow again. I have ideas and vision for every single thing. Finding the time and the strength for it all is something I am praying for.

How do you know when an old season is ending and a new one is beginning?

There’s a knot in my throat that doesn’t go away until I acknowledge that something is ending and another is beginning.

In your writings, you often emphasize 'dying daily' to live freely. Why is that your personal philosophy?

KL: When I came to Christ, I felt like he was asking a lot of me that felt like death. Not listening to certain music, not hitting a dab pen everyday, not finding my worth in IG likes, etc. etc. It all felt like death. I came across Paul’s ‘I die daily’ and resonated with it so much. Like yes, it really feels like dying. Although he actually meant real life death and I was just being asked to take an instagram break… so for me to be like YASS Paul I feel you, is very silly. But that felt like death to me at the time. I still keep that philosophy because it reminds me everyday to let my flesh down and have the spirit take over. Very recently I'm starting to emphasize the living freely part, because you can’t die and not live again. Jesus resurrected, so we shouldn't just die and die. He wants us to live freely in Him.

How has your understanding of surrender evolved over time?

This is an amazing question. I used to think surrendering was giving up everything. Overtime I’ve learned it’s giving up the lies about myself, and keeping what’s true. 

Where have you found grace lately?

I’ve found grace in stepping into the power God has given me. For so long I was shrinking myself without realizing it. And now I feel the grace to fully live out who I am and the gifts God has blessed me with. 

What are you currently learning about God?

KL: Nothing is a coincidence. He cares about every single part of me and He never fails to show me. I’m realizing it’s all written out already, and it’s good. His plans for me are set in stone and they are good. I just need to stay the course.

In your post You’re Not in Trouble, you gave language to something many of us silently carry. What do you think contributes to that fear around God’s correction, and how are you unlearning it?

KL: I think the way some Africans, especially in the West speak about God can be very… fear mongering and performative. I believe that’s where it came from. Growing up in a very performance based culture also meant I was always proving myself—to my teachers, my parents, etc. It makes sense that I would think I need to prove myself to God. I am unlearning that there’s nothing I can do tomorrow that would make God love me more than He does now, which is a relief.

What was your childhood like growing up?

KL: I grew up with ‘mummy’ and ‘daddy’, who didn't give birth to me, but raised me as their own when my mom moved to the US. I was waking up at 5am reading Chris Kwakpovwe ‘Our Daily Manna: For Kids’ every morning, and was very familiar with Chris Oyakhilome. Lot’s of anointing oil, prayer, good food, laughter and some forms of punishments that my American husband calls abuse. I might agree. I was very shy yet expressive, loved the spotlight, and was always the teacher’s pet at my christian private school. Then I moved to America.

Have you always had such a strong sense of personal style and self-expression? Where does that come from, and how do you stay rooted in it?

KL: I believe so. I was always drawn to women in pageants and the girls on the cover of the hair relaxer boxes. When I moved to America, I would copy the outfits I saw from Pretty Little Liars and ANT Farm, till people started making fun of me because no one dressed like that in real life. I loved it anyway. My day is always determined by whether or not I like my outfit, if that says anything. Great fashion keeps me inspired and so I try to keep close to it because it informes all of my other creative senses. 

Something you never go anywhere without?

KL: A small notebook and Topical’s slick salve.

What’s something small that sparks a lot of joy?

KL: A well designed restaurant with incredible food. Bonus points if it’s a natural wine bar as well.

We have to talk about the wedding! Your dress was gorgeous and everything felt so intentional. Did you always know that’s how you wanted things to be, or did that clarity come with time?

KL: Thank you! That clarity came with lots of planning, tears, and family drama lol. My wedding was definitely not the one I, or my mother, envisioned when I was growing up, but I learned it is okay for desires to change. If I were to have it now, it might look a little different. However, it was the perfect wedding for the time of life I was in and everything that was going on around me. With that said, I adore design, intimate gatherings, and being a little avant-garde. There was so much seriousness around the concept of marriage for me, so I went wedding dress shopping with the intention of finding a dress that felt fun, quirky, fashionable, free, and above all, not serious.  It was the perfect dress.

What is marriage teaching you that you didn’t expect?

KL: That God sends people in your life to give you a tangible reflection of His love. And that I hate feedback.

You’ve been traveling the world with Lucas, what has that been like? When did you decide to go?

KL: Our lease was ending in New York and we had always talked about doing a year abroad ever since we met. We decided not to renew our lease or  look for a new apartment and just go! We both work remotely, and there’s no time as good as now. Carpe diem.

Has seeing more of the world shifted anything in you? Your pace, your priorities, your sense of self?

It’s made me love myself more. I love the saying ‘everywhere you go, there you are.’ I’m not sure where I first saw it, but it’s definitely rung true. I see my passions, ideas, convictions, and character remain everywhere I go. I realize it’s much better to love me and all I am, because I will never escape me no matter where I go.

What’s been your fave city so far, and why?

KL: We’ve been in Paris for only 5 days, and it’s quickly grown to the top of the list. It feels just like NYC but quieter, and less crazy. We set out on this trip to discover what we like in a city and where we might want to settle next, and are realizing we love a busy city life more than a quiet remote environment. I’ll trade a good strip of cafes and bookstores for the beach, incredible asian food for a view of the mountains, that kinda thing. So Paris is my favorite.

How do you recharge your spirit?

KL: Going to a bookstore, browsing Pinterest, listening to music, journaling, listening to worship, hour long chats with friends who die daily, and fasting.

How does life feel for you right now?

KL: Heaven on earth.

What are you most looking forward to this year?

KL: Continuing to grow into myself :) 

Would you say you feel more free in this season of life than ever before? How so?

KL: Yes. I am not second guessing myself anymore. Or at least I’m trying not to.

If little Karren could sit with you now, what would she say—and what would you say back?

KL: I think she would ask: are you a Disney channel star yet?

And I would say: girl…the dream is bigger.

Follow and subscribe to ANYTHING with Karren’s hand on it and be blessed! Till next time xx.