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Permalink Reply by Lisa Hutchinson on February 28, 2011 at 9:05pm

Christopher, I can't tell you how much I've struggled for years with the fact that time is limited with family and priorities, and often our passion for creating comics (a God-given gift) can sometimes be put on the shelf for awhile especially if it's not our main source of income. I don't believe that God is asking you to give up anything, but to wait on HIM and to pray. HE wants us to completely seek Him in all things and to devote ourselves to study His Word. Comics shouldn't come before that. You might need to re-evaluate certain things in your life, or re-schedule your time, and if it means staying up very late once or twice a week, maybe that's what needs to be done right now. I used to stay up until 2 am (sometimes later) 5 nights a week while I was working during the day just to give me time to draw when everyone else was asleep. Can you do this? I find I can't do it anymore, but God has also given me more time during the day now to work on comics. I keep coming across verses dealing with patience, perseverance and trust; these things are very valuable to Him. Trusting that He knows what He's doing with your life and yielding to His will, being thankful that He knows your desires and cares about them! As long as your priorities are in the right order, He can make a way for you to pursue your passion at the proper time. I used to get totally depressed not having enough time to create as much as I wanted, but I've also come to recognize that there are seasons in people's lives where He tells us to "pitch a tent and wait!"  You can always jot down ideas, make sketches, thumbnails and so forth so nothing is wasted, and to at least actively set aside time once a week if not more to do comics. I had to do that with my time as well. I remember taking notebooks to work with me (I teach) and while the kids were on the playground I would sometimes sketch a poster or comic page. Things can get done although right now it might take a bit longer.

Don't let the lack of time keep you from being joyful in Him and in life itself, but take the opportunity to be thankful for His gift in you as well as knowing that God does have a purpose for this time even if you don't understand it right now. Many blessings to you.

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Permalink Reply by Evan Akuna on March 1, 2011 at 11:11am

Christopher,

 

I'm praying for you.  Comics--especially those done in entirety by their creators, are truly a balancing act.  Remember during this season of your life that you are God's workmanship.  YOU are God's project.  So when life gets hectic and you're wearing a bunch of hats, remember that God is working on you.  So many comics escape the attention of a potential readership because there is no substance to them.  As God is showing you the ropes with balancing the details of life, He is giving you substance for your book.  The experiences you have between pages will undoubtedly impact the content of your book, and you will see God working all things together for good, for those who love Him and are called to His purposes.

 

I agree wholeheartedly with Lisa's response.  Wait on God.  Be re-centered in purpose and your thought process.  Ask God what He would have you do right now.  Submit your plans to Him, but allow Him to order your steps.  He put those desires in you, and will also provide the time to see them come to fruit.

 

That being said, I understand man.  I'm going through the same dance right now!

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Permalink Reply by Buzz Dixon on March 1, 2011 at 4:26pm

I empathize; I find myself in the same boat frequently.  It's had to block out the time for family & work, but ya gotta find a way to do it.

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Permalink Reply by Melchizedek Todd on March 2, 2011 at 3:10pm

Hey Christopher,

 That's something I 've struggled with and still face as a frustration. Early in my marriage I felt the strain and I would think about the good ol' single days. But then I realized I wasted a lot of time doing senseless or foolish things when I was single. Not to say that was all bad, but I could had spent more time with God when I think back. But now Married with kids and a full-timer it is a strain at times and like Lisa said you have to find the time and oppurtunities to do something. And that is the key-DO SOMETHING. I've known people throughout my life who complained and whined about accomplishing a dream, but did nothing to start it or finish it.

Another thing, can your other ministry become less and your comic book ministry become more? As I began to focus more on my comic, the diffrernt ministries I was involved in at church began to lessen. I actually had to make a conscious decision to stop some church ministries for my comic due to time and realizing my comic is the main ministry after my family that God wants me to pursue now.

 

And one more ramble is a thought that's been rambling in my head. I was talking to a co-worker about having more time and mastering time. He disagreed with me and said you can only manage time. Personally, I prefer to think I can master time. Not to say I can do it or I am mastering time effectively right now, but I feel it's a better way to view time than to think it's our master. The Bible says we are more than conquerors. Just a thought.

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Permalink Reply by Kendall Uwaibi on March 2, 2011 at 5:46pm

Yo Chris, I totally understand as well. I currently have two jobs and working on a third. Also, every friday night, my wife and I have a Dave Ramsey Bible Study. It can be very challenging for me to work on my comic. I had to learn to prioritize my time meaning no more playing video games or watching movies when I can be drawing. It's hard but the biggest step on completing a personal project is telling yourself "NO".  All artists deal with time management issues but we still have to improve on time management. When I complain about time, my wife reminds me of the time I wasted doing something else. The truth is there is always something that wants to our time but God gives us freewill to choose how we send our time. Choose it wisely my man. Don't let your emotions get the best of you. Realize where you can change and press towards your new goal. 

Pray for me as I pray for you. God Bless.

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Permalink Reply by clay cantrell on March 2, 2011 at 6:14pm

Christopher - 

this is a common frustration, and all creatives of any stripe face it. As I live in the south in the USA, I endeavor to make all analogies have something to do with eating pie - so here goes. You eat a giant peach pie one bite at a time, and you keeping eating it one bite at a time until it's all gone and there's none left for anyone else.  ; >  Large projects have to be broken down into small chunks (bites), it really doesn't matter what kind of creative project it is. The point is forward motion. maybe your time chunks are 15 minutes every day or every other day. As an illustrator, I have done many 80-90 page books where there was a full blow illustration covering each page and I had 2 months to do the whole book. Looking at the whole project was so discouraging and seemed impossible, even scary. after a couple of them, I quit looking at the whole thing and just concentrated on the next page - getting it done and making it look the best I could. it's like a marathon. break the project into manageable chunks that are realistic, and small enough to keep your enthusiasm fired up. meeting goals keeps your attitude good, and you can track your progress. forward motion is the deal and trusting God with it, one bite of pie at a time. Go for it!

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Permalink Reply by Christopher Haupt on March 3, 2011 at 7:08am

Yo thank you guys.... I really appreciate all the post. I'm soaking it in. Everyone's advice is really helpful. I feel much better. I'm glad someone came to my rescue.

Sometimes I feel like I'm alone and no one understands but all of your advice motivates me BIGTIME! I want to respond to all of your comments, but my wife is sleeping and the kids are at school, so I better take advantage of this opportunity before I have to go to work. LOL.  Thank you thank you.

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Permalink Reply by RMK on March 5, 2011 at 12:36am

Lisa, your advice was exactly what I needed to hear today. I'm in the Air Force and it makes a lot of demands on my time. I find myself getting depressed and frustrated a lot wishing I could escape and work on my own stuff. Thanks for putting things in perspective.

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Permalink Reply by Ralph Ellis Miley on March 5, 2011 at 2:42pm

Been there.  I've been married for almost 27 years, raised 3 children, the youngest being 16.  And yet, there are very few things I enjoy more than working on comics.  However,  where I at this time in my life is where the Lord has me.  Would I have enjoyed working in comics full time?  I think about it often, but when I look at my family, my church family, my Christian comicbook family and I see God's hand and I trust Him with my life to allow me to see what are real important things in my life.  I wouldn't trade my relationship with my children and my wife for any job in comics.  To know that your children know the Lord, that is priceless.  It is the best investment that you can make.  I love comics, I love being involved in almost every aspect of them, but when my children can come to me and share what's going on in their lives, for me because of the time I've sacrificed for them, there are only a couple of things more fulfilling. I hope this helps you achieve a proper perspective of how God's hand is already guiding you in what He has for you. 

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Permalink Reply by Lee Savage on March 7, 2011 at 7:44am

I am a Christian writer trying to connect with an artist, as I am not one. I need a good Artist for my comic Book

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Permalink Reply by Christopher Haupt on March 7, 2011 at 8:38am

Hey Ralph. I feel like I wouldn't even want to do the ministry if the foundation were built on neglecting those around me. My wife, my boys, and those closest to me are my first ministry. They are my most powerful testimony.  Who can testify for me when the comic is finally done. Who can say I'm a good man and yes he is a christian if it's not my family. When the book is done I would want them to be happy with me, not resent the book because I put it before them.

It's hard doing a balancing act though, but I'm praying hard about it, and I am trying to do things a little different. I am really glad I posted this though because all the words of encouragement helps. I'm very thankful.

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Permalink Reply by Christopher Haupt on March 7, 2011 at 8:42am

Hey Lee,

I wouldn't be able to help with the comic, but fish around this site and you'll find a really good artist whose available trust me.  You can put a post on the main page. Or here is another site that I look in on from time to time, but it's not christian based. It's called digitalwebbing.com
Lee Savage said:

I am a Christian writer trying to connect with an artist, as I am not one. I need a good Artist for my comic Book

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