Pro Hart - Using The Gifts God Has Given You

Hello and welcome to Van Life Devotions. When we were in Broken Hill, I visited the Pro Art Art Gallery. Pro Hart was an Australian outback painter who captured the true spirit of the Aussie Outback. His real name was Kevin Hart but was nicknamed "Professor" (hence "Pro") during his younger days, when he was known as an inventor.

From a young age Pro would draw and illustrate. In his mid 30s this artist from Broken Hill was discovered a gallery owner from Adelaide and his popularity as an outback artist began to climb. Collection after collection would sell out and Pro began traveling the world. He met Kings and Queens, Presidents, and Prime Ministers.

Perhaps his most famous moment came with a series of television carpet commercials.

Do you remember those ads?

Pro Hart had his opinions and beliefs but once said that if he verbalised his thoughts someone would sue him and so he expressed his opinions through painting. He was also a Christian and his gallery declares that with many of his works inspired by Bible passages.

Pro Hart made a mission of giving away Bibles and New Testaments to anyone who showed an interest. Each bible was painted with a flower or insect, a memento from the artist to encourage the recipient to read and act on the Word. It is estimated that more than 5,000 of the decorated books were painted and given away over many decades. He constructed a special rack to hold the books so he could paint them in batches of 50 at one time.

Pro Hart died in 2006 and was buried in Broken Hill. His paintings have left a legacy that are hung in homes, palaces, and galleries across the world. Pro Art used his gift of painting to glorify God.

We are told in 1 Peter 4 verse 10, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms”. As a child of God, you are blessed with gifts and talents. Perhaps you have locked away your talents because you feel that they aren’t good enough or someone said something that discouraged you. The truth is God has blessed you with gifts. It is time for you unlock those gifts and talents and use them for God’s glory by blessing others?

Pastor Rick Warren who has recently retired from leading one of America’s largest churches wrote this: “You are a manager of the gifts God has given to you. They may be great or small in your eyes, but they matter to God. When God made you, he made an investment in you, and he expects a return on that investment”.

As for me, I enjoy doing crafts from knitting to printing. In my free time I enjoy working here in our backroom creating things for others. Even when we go vanning, I take what I can, and I do my thing that brings me much pleasure. Whenever we are in Bendigo, I stocked up well at the Woollen Mills. Watch this space as I’ve been praying about how best to use my God given talents for others. You too have hidden talent that needs to be used to bless others and bring you joy as well? Sharing who you are enriches everyone. Whether it’s your smile, sense of humour, mechanical or carpentry or budgetary skills, you can offer something that can enhance people’s lives.

Please pray with me.

Dear God, thank you for Pro Hart’s gift in art. May his work continue to inspire. Thank you for the gifts and talents that You have bless us with. Help us to use them to serve others. O God, preserve us who travel; surround us with your loving care; protect us from every danger; and bring us in safety to our journey’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.