My brother is an artist. He sees things differently than I do. If I was going to draw a person, I’d start with the head. He starts with a shoelace. He would throw away the directions to his Legos and create masterpieces while I slaved away following steps 1-32.
Of course, he didn’t like to read like I did. That is, unless you put a comic book in his hand. (Archie was our comic of choice.) When he was a little older, my parents bought him the Picture Bible. It was basically the comic book version of the Bible.
In 2010, David C. Cook publishers redid the Picture Bible as the Action Bible. It’s illustrated by Sergio Cariello and as I was researching the book, I found this interview…
Isn’t that fabulous? Sergio’s passion, his talent as a kid was drawing. He drew Batman and Superman and then God turned it around and used his talent to glorify Him. Isn’t that what God does in all our lives if we let him? He gives us dreams and gifts and great ideas–we think we know what they are for, but then we see Him use them bigger and better than we could ever imagine!
I love the Action Bible for many reasons–the cultural relevance, the eye-opening drama and action portrayed, the draw for older kids, boys and uninterested readers. I also love it because of Sergio’s story. I can picture my little brother as an elementary aged kid drawing super heroes during school and reading his Picture Bible at home. What an inspiration to a little boy–showing that any gift, any talent, any desire can be used by God for His glory and for His purposes!
Today my brother is still an artist–but not as a cartoonist. He uses computers to design websites and other graphic art–including the graphics and design for his church. He loves it and I’m sure he could have never imagined how fulfilling it would be to draw and design for God’s glory—probably would not have known it was possible. This is what God does!
How have you seen God use your life and gifts in unexpected ways?
affiliate links included
