God's Coaching #315

God's Coaching #315

Sports are cool. Comics are cool. What if you put them together? Supercool. Make that superhero cool. That’s what the National Hockey League did. They partnered with Stan Lee, the famous comic artist who created Spider-Man, to create the Guardian Project. Stan and his team of artists dreamed up 30 new superheroes, one based on each pro hockey team.

The NHL revealed all the heroes’ identities during the month of January, leading up to the 2010 All-Star game. Each Guardian had superpowers—often relating to his team’s name. The Guardian for the Pittsburgh Penguins was unveiled first. The Penguin was an inventor who had penguin wings attached to his arms that allowed him to maneuver quickly in the water. The Flame, from Calgary, loved to snow ski and could generate flames in his bare hands and throw fireballs at his enemies. The Bruin from Boston was a gigantic, well-educated bear. All the Guardians worked together to fight evil, but there were some tensions between real-life rivals. Wondering how the Guardians handle a stick? Not necessarily very well. They’re fans of their hockey teams, but their adventures take place in a world outside the arena.

What’s the Score?

Stan Lee would get body checked out of the rink in the NHL, but players like Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin would be stuck scribbling stick figures (get it? stick figures) if they tried to be comic artists. Together they created cool new characters and stories.

God gives different gifts to different people. Some are great musicians or students or athletes or artists. When it came time to build God’s Tabernacle and later his Temple in the Old Testament, leaders such as Moses and Solomon called on their best artists and craftsmen to do the work. The book of Exodus notes that “the LORD has given them special skills as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet thread on fine linen cloth, and weavers” (35:35). Artists throughout history inspire us with new ways of imagining or seeing things. And artists who follow God can reflect God’s beauty and creativity in fresh, new ways. If you’re good at art, give your creations all you’ve got for God. If art’s not your thing, use whatever you like to do to glorify God.

On the Ball

Create something cool as a way to praise God. Draw, paint, sculpt, or build. Express yourself to your creative Creator.

Coach’s Comment

The LORD has given them special skills as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet thread on fine linen cloth, and weavers. They excel as craftsmen and as designers. Exodus 35:35