Johnny reached for the highball near his workspace, even though it was only 10:00 in the morning. It was a necessity, he told himself, to help release his creativity and wit. How else was he supposed to come up with new ideas day after day?
He had thought a new home in the country would provide inspiration, renewed energy for his work, and the tranquility he longed for. But once he and his wife Bobby settled on their 150-acre estate, with a huge, wood-paneled studio overlooking a 25-acre lake, Johnny found himself just as unhappy and uninspired as before the move.
(Not Johnny’s and Bobby’s lake, but perhaps similar)
The success he’d achieved, the fortune he had acquired, the entertainment he pursued did not provide the satisfaction he’d expected.
Not long after settling into their new home, Johnny and Bobby decided to address its one drawback: there was no television reception. They purchased a satellite system.
The company sent a father/son team to install it—a process that became more complicated and time-consuming than anyone expected. The father and son stayed in the large studio for the days it took to complete the task.
As work progressed to hook up the several TVs in the house and one in the studio, the two men tuned in to a Christian station. Johnny found himself drawn to the screens, listening to the likes of D. James Kennedy, a well-respected preacher and author at the time. Johnny had been a believer in Jesus when he was young, but had drifted away in adulthood.
The more he listened, the more he remembered what he’d learned years before in Sunday School: God made us humans and loves us. But we are sinful, and sin separates us from him. So God sent his perfect Son, Jesus, to die in our place. And those who believe in him receive the incredible gift of eternal life with him in heaven when we die (John 3:16).
Johnny began reading the Bible and felt his doubts, dissatisfaction and fears melting away. In their place he noticed a deep sense of peace and purpose.
Part of that purpose was to allow his rekindled faith to impact his work as a cartoonist. He began to include Christian references in his highly successful comic strip, “B.C.”
You might remember it. Simple drawings of cavemen, dinosaurs, ants, and other animals inhabited a very stark habitat. The genius wasn’t in the drawings; it was in the puns, irony, wordplay, and dry humor that Johnny Hart produced for fifty years, from 1957-2007.
For example, in one strip, a caveman says, “God, if you’re up there, give me a sign.” In the next frame, a huge neon sign sits crookedly and slightly buried in the sand in front of the caveman. It has obviously just fallen from the sky, and it reads—in big capital letters—“I’M UP HERE.”
Of course, Johnny was criticized for those strips that affirmed Christian beliefs. His response to such reproach was to ask a question:
“What purpose would I serve if I had the answer to the mystery of life only I did not tell it for the sake of what other people believe (1)?”
One of Johnny Hart’s strips about the mystery of life moved me to tears.
It appeared on Good Friday, 1996.
There were simply four empty panels with no artwork and no conversation bubbles. The first panel was gray, the second a shade darker, the third darker still, and the last frame was completely black. That final panel carried the simple caption: Good Friday.
Such a simple presentation, but overflowing with meaning. For me, the progression toward black was symbolic of Jesus’ experiences that day—from betrayal in the Garden of Gethsemane to an unlawful trial, a flogging, a crown of thorns, a heavy cross to carry, and the worst torture man has ever devised: crucifixion. The land was shrouded in darkness that day for three hours (Mark 15:33).
But oh, it is Good Friday, because that darkest deed of history became our bright victory (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).
And because of Jesus’ profound sacrifice, we do have hope, peace, purpose, and more.
Johnny Hart would want us to know.
Note:
Sources:
1) https://www.charismamag.com/site-archives/572-newsletters/the-buzz/4671-johnny-hart-i-did-it-his-way
2)http://jeffjenkinsocala.blogspot.com/2008/07/bc-comics-censored.html
Photo credits: http://www.flicr.com; http://www.publicdomainpictures.net; http://www.dailyverses.net (2).
you tell such great stories. so inspirational!
Thank you, Jean. When I find such stories (or the hint of one that begs further research), I can’t help but want to share them!
Nancy, this is indeed a very inspiring and insightful message. Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you Ruth. So glad you found the post inspiring and insightful!
This is a good reminder that, no matter where God has placed us, we will have opportunities to reflect His light to others.
Amen, Grace Lead!
“What purpose would I serve if I had the answer to the mystery of life only I did not tell it for the sake of what other people believe?” This is so true! Nothing should stop us from sharing the message of Salvation. Loved this story, Nancy.
You are right, Cheri: Nothing should stop us from sharing. When people take offense at my belief in Jesus, I tend to avoid the subject of Christianity in future encounters with them. I need to seek God’s wisdom in how to proceed, what words would draw them closer and not drive them further away. P.S. So glad you enjoyed Johnny Hart’s story!
Another interesting lesson and story from my favorite history teacher.
Thank you, Grace! 🙂 We continue to pray for you & Leon…