Thomas Kinkade

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It was with great sadness that I came across the headline Saturday that said that Thomas Kinkade had died.  I didn’t think that he was that old.  So I checked the article and, sure enough, he was only 54.  Still relatively young by our current standards of longevity.  At this point they believe that he died of natural causes.  In case you don’t know who Thomas Kincade was, he was a world-renowned artist.  And a Christian artist at that.

I don’t remember when I first heard the name ‘Thomas Kinkade’.  It’s not like I have my finger on the pulse of the artistic community.  Aside from Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Norman Rockwell, and a few other very famous artists, I couldn’t name a current one.  That being said, somewhere about 10 or 15 years ago I heard of Kinkade.  From Lynda Kenfield.  She was selling prints of his through what was then Home Interiors.  So Beth bought one.  And we hung it over our fireplace.  Where it is at this very moment.  We also have another Kinkade painting hanging in our dining room.  And every year we purchase one of Kinkade’s calendars.  Personally, I like Kincade’s art.  Like thousands of others who purchase his works, I like the rural settings.  The sereneness of his paintings.  And the soft glow of light that always radiates from them.

Yes, light.  That is perhaps the signature trademark of all Kinkade’s paintings.  Every painting has it somewhere.  As a Christian, Kinkade portrays himself as the ‘Painter of light’.  His artwork reflects his deep faith in God which comes through on the canvas in the form of light.  Some of Kinkade’s paintings are actually based on Bible verses.  Such as his painting ‘A Light In The Storm’ which is based upon John 8:12 where Jesus says, “I am the light of the world.”  Perhaps this is why Kinkade’s works are so sought after and appreciated.  No matter how dark the world is, the light of God’s presence is always to be seen.

To say that Kinkade was successful is an understatement.  Perhaps no American artist since Norman Rockwell has received such broad exposure and popular acceptance.  Over the years Kinkade has turned his drawings into a business featuring franchised galleries and his artwork is on just about every article imaginable - from coffee mugs to rugs.  At one point it was said that Kinkade’s income was over $100 million annually.  And his artwork is estimated to be in 10 million homes.  As a result Kinkade was acclaimed as the most-collected living artist.  Until Saturday.

The point I want to make about Thomas Kinkade is this.  You don’t have to be a pastor or a missionary in order to do great things for God in the world.  Kinkade made a difference in the world for God through painting.  His paintings brought inspiration and hope to many people.  And he also brought the light of the Gospel into many homes and lives where it might not otherwise have gone.  Kinkade is a shining example of what God can do through a person when they give themselves completely to Him.

So what gifts, talents and abilities do you have?  Can you teach?  Are you good with children?  Are you good at making money?  Or playing sports?  Are you a technology geek?  Or are you good at building things?  Or fixing them?  Can you play an instrument?  Or are you good at encouraging others?  The point is that there is no talent, skill or ability that God cannot use to reach others.  We have a woman in our church who is a seamstress.  She has taken several short-term missions trips to various countries around the world.  What does she do there?  She sews!  She mends things.  And alters things.  And creates things.  She uses her talent for God.  And people are blessed by it.

So what are you waiting for?  Dedicate yourself to God!  Surrender your life to Him right now.  Ask Him to use the gifts, talents and abilities that He has given you.  And then watch with awe how God uses you to positively impact the lives of others.  How He uses you to make a difference for Him in the world.

Lord, I am thankful for the ways that You have used my gifts, talents, and abilities over the years to make a difference for You in the world.  And You can do the same for others.  Help them to surrender their lives completely to You.  And then watch what You do through them.  In Jesus' name, Amen.