Acrylic on canvas. As I was working on this piece I noticed that the center fish was going in a different direction from all the others. Overall, I wasn't very happy with how this was turning out, feeling it was too simple.
Then the Scripture passage about the coin found in the mouth of a fish came to my mind. The Holy Spirit whispered, even the simple can be used by God.
"...Take the first fish you catch; open it's mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin."
Matthew 17:24-27 recounts Jesus instructing Peter to pay the temple tax with the money provided by a fish.
When we fully surrender to the working of God's hand, the seemingly ordinary achieves the extraordinary for His Kingdom purposes.
Now that is an encouraging truth!
I want to thank my art instructor, Donna Gonzalez. Your passion for art, your exuberance for the Lord and your encouragement to your students to let go of our self-made restraints and try inspires me!
The 2026 Engage Art Contest will be accepting new artwork in January 2026!