Faith and Art

It’s Wednesday, and time again for theology and art! Today we have a series of pieces from Shepherd of the Valley member Jack Rodriguez. Jack has been busy during our hiatus, as you can see!

These pieces fascinate me in a couple ways. First of all, I’m in awe of what Jack is able to do with his hands. The Bible is full of stories of people who build things, from tabernacles to palaces. Jesus even grew up as the son of a carpenter. It’s all foreign to me, though! My hands and brain just don’t work that way. In fact, I’m not very artistic at all. If I looked at the pile of stuff Jack made these out of, I’d probably just see scraps of randomness. Somehow, Jack’s eyes saw--and his hand fashioned--crosses and symbols meaningful to all of us. One can almost sense the moment when God saw a “formless and void” universe and said, “Let there be light and land and trees and sun!”

What’s more, all of Jack’s works are made from reclaimed material…things that other people literally threw out as junk. What a powerful testimony to the work of the God who takes things that others consider unworthy and calls them beloved and precious. That’s the great hope for all of us. It shows through in Jack’s collection.

Thank you Jack for sharing your talents with all of us! You remind us how powerfully God works in our lives!
Come back next week for more art from the people in Shepherd of the Valley’s orbit.
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--Pastor Dave