Selah Ep. 15: God's Gifting Will Lead You To Him

Foreign.

Welcome to the Sale up podcast. My name is Jacob, and I am joined with Gian. We've been talking a lot over these last few episodes about the idea of dreams and how the Lord really puts dreams and desires in our heart. And it's kind of up to us to figure out what our next steps are going to be to see that through. And so first, before we get into your specific dream, tell our listeners a little bit about who you are, how you ended up at the Refuge.

What's up, guys? Okay, so, yeah, Gian Quijano. I always have to, like, go through my spiel. Gian Quijano. I'm a husband first.

I'm a dad second. I love Jesus. My family loves God. We've been going to Refuge now, I'd say, like, 14 months. We relocated here from Los Angeles.

Our story is kind of crazy if you get the chance to chat with us. More than happy to fill you in on the details, but the high level of it was we might as well have picked a place on a map and just went for it. And we felt God leading us here for sure. And so we took action and kind of jumped towards it. And honestly, it's the best thing we've ever done, like, for our family, I think, for, you know, even not just, like, being here and relocating geographically, but also showing our kids what it looks like to, like, hear from God and then do something about it.

So, yeah, that's what we're here. Yeah. So Gian and I met because I'm in the creative world, and one of my friends was like, hey, this guy Gian does stuff in the creative world. You should talk nice. We had a nice blind coffee date about creative.

It was great. We were, like, both sitting in the cafe, and we didn't know who was who. I was like, are you the guy? You know, I was like, you look like the person. So.

So tell. Tell our listeners a little bit about what it is you do now, and then we'll kind of backtrack. Absolutely. Okay, so my wife's gonna kill me, but as you could tell, I'm a mal. Yes.

You know, just built for it. No, I. We do, like, creative marketing and advertising. And so we do a lot of, like, advertising for brands that are, like, selling things online. Yeah.

And so specifically, it's called E commerce. And so people that are selling, whether it's a digital product or physical product, our team and our business goes in and helps, like, scale their, like, accounts so they can, you know, hit their numbers. But also, we're Using all the platforms, all the social platforms to kind of spread awareness and things. So what we want to get into today is we talked a little bit about, obviously about art, and that being a similar part of both of our stories. Yes.

I didn't really get to stumble into the art world being part of my profession till a little later, but it was always on my mind. Yeah. And I know from experience that once you're little and you're like, art school, it just kind of lingers there, you know? Totally. I want to do something with that.

So tell us a little bit about, you know, what'd you first dabble in, art wise, dude. Okay. Yeah, let's. Okay. I always kind of knew I was creative.

I come from, like, a creative family to a degree. But really what I knew that something I wanted to do was I was probably. I had to be around, you know, 10, 11, and there was a lot of really cool, like, art installations at some of the, like, local museums. And we would go there with our school as, like, a field trip. And I kind of just got exposed to it.

And I was, like, blown away at, like, wow, one, how did they do this? And two, like, can I do that for work? I was like, is that like a quote unquote career? Like, do people get paid for this stuff? Right.

And then some of it was like, I was looking at abstract art and being like, there's no way someone's paying for this. Just like a square, you know, just like a circle. And so I was just kind of getting exposed to that at a young age. And then it always, like, piqued my interest. And then as I started getting older, started to experiment with different kinds and started getting into, you know, more of the, like, street art.

And blending the two of, like, how do you go from like, painting, whether it was like, on a wall or painting in your canvas, and how do you put that into clothing? And I saw, like, this, like, mix of things happening. And, you know, it was kind of like a peak moment where streetwear was really big. And what I saw was people that were taking these, like, crazy designs and they were putting them onto these shirts and selling them. Yeah.

And that was like, almost like an aha moment where I was like, no way. Like, this is how they make. This is how they do a business out of it. This is like how they're paying rent, you know, at their place. And so I just knew right away that I was okay.

I got to get into that. I got to learn how to do it. And so right before high School graduation. I, like, had little summer jobs, trying to make money as much as possible. I saved up and I bought like a MacBook Pro and I like went and pirated all the programs.

I definitely didn't pay for them. I was just trying to, like, get it done, you know. And I sat at a coffee shop in Cerritos and it was like. Yeah, it was like one of those moments where it was like, I look back at it now, I was like, man, I'm so glad I did that. But I would go there right when it opened and then I was the first person there and the last one to leave.

And it was just learning. And I was like kind of self taught and I just dove straight into it and started learning how to do it. And it just ended up this graphic design. I was learning how to be again, taking like artwork in places that probably shouldn't have been into actually putting it online and then like having a story behind it and started doing that for a long time. Do you, in this stage of life get the feedback sometimes of like, well, you're just.

You just have that natural, like, God just gave you that talent. But like, you just described it as like you sat there all day. Oh, yeah. And learned it. Yeah.

And it's like the, you know, we talked about like right before we started recording, but it was like, you know, God can't steer a parked car. Like, you have to like, take. Start moving towards it and like, things will happen. And it's like that step of faith or the, hey, you know what? I'm going to at least try it.

Like, what do you. I mean, at the end of the day, it's like I had time and I had creativity and I had like a dream or I had a vision of what I wanted to do. Yeah. And it was like I had to just kind of step up and do something. Yeah.

So from early on, it was definitely an interest. And then it became like, oh, that could be a profession. Like, how early did you connect those thoughts to? Like, oh, actually the Lord might be leading me this versus just. I just chose this because I'm Gian and I like it.

Yeah. Yeah. And so I had like, you know, I think everybody has like a. There's an aha moment and like the testimony to tell. Right.

Like, regardless of your story, I think mine's for sure, like, I would say dramatic to a degree. But also, you know, I look back at it now, it's like it really couldn't have been any other way. And so I started learning how to do all that at a really young age. I got introduced to, like, people locally, where we're from in L. A. And I got exposed to, like, quote unquote, like, the industry really young.

Like, I was like 19 years old, and we were going to like, these insane photo shoots and video shoots and getting introduced to everybody you could imagine. And I remember just sitting there and I grew up knowing about God, and I knew right from wrong, for sure. I came from a good family. But I also chose to kind of make my own decisions at that point. And I was exposed to it.

We were in the industry, we're making money, we're making really cool creative products and selling that. It was just like this, like, really cool, unique time at a young age. And what ended up happening was I ended up becoming a single dad at 20 years old. And so my whole world changed overnight. I went from.

I could barely take care of myself, let alone, I'm gonna become a dad and I gotta figure this whole thing out. And now I really have to know, like, can this creative dream that I have even be a possibility? Yeah. Like, it almost felt like you lost it, bro. Like, you gotta, like, you just go do what you gotta do to make it work.

And it changed my life for sure, like, overnight. And, you know, my son was born and it like, shaped. Shaped my. It changed my world for the better. But in the moment, it was like, it almost felt like, not like a rock bottom moment, but like a dude.

Like, how did you end up here? How did you allow yourself to get this way? And, yeah, you know, God brought people into my life that were looking out for me to a degree. And they. They kind of asked me the same thing.

Like, bro, what happened? Like, you were, like, on this, like, really cool trajectory and like, we don't see you anymore. You don't go to places and like, you're. Your artwork's, like, struggling, your product's not selling. There's, like, all these things that started happening.

I was like, whoa. Like, I thought I had this, like, vision for what my life was going to be. And then it kind of shifted again, like, overnight. And it's, you know, it was my. My choice, my decisions, and I had to, like, step up to the plate and do what I knew I had to do.

And. And I felt like the art dream was gonna, like, be forever gone. Yeah. And it made me struggle. Cause I was like, dang, I guess I'm just gonna.

We got a job. Gotta do what I gotta do. And what ended up happening was a friend of mine and he actually lives here in North Carolina. He's in Midland. But he was like a childhood friend of mine and he had a son at like 17, 18 years old.

But this was like, when Instagram just like started to become like, really cool. And people were like, he was posting images of him, his wife and his son and his day job was doing art. And I was like, there's no way. Like, how do you do this? Yeah.

So I like. Which even to give context, what year was this? It's like 2008, 2009. Yeah. So even that's not that long ago, but long enough to where, like, we're not all romanticizing being a creator.

Oh, yeah, you serve it. Like every 10 year old wants to be a YouTuber. Oh yeah, dude. Yeah. This is like, yeah.

Then it was like, I remember my, my neighbor's dad did graphic design and I just assumed like, oh, he makes comics. Yeah, yeah, he draws all day, probably the furthest. But I don't think there was as much awareness of like, the design world being a legitimate profession. Opportunity. So, yeah.

And like, even then it was like, okay, like, how do people do this? So I reached out, sent him a dm and he was like, hey, like, if you're serious about it and you want to like, actually learn, like, you'll meet me. And, you know, you put in the work. And I remember just being like, that's kind of cryptic. I don't really know what that means.

Like, what on earth, like, is like, what does this guy do? And so I was like, okay, like, I'm game. Like, it was almost like, I'm up for the challenge. Like, I knew that I had to, like, do something. And I really, like, not that I didn't have anything else going, but it was, they were all going to be like dead end leads.

And it wasn't what exactly I felt called to do. And so I ended up meeting up with him and he took me to where he was working and he ended up working at a church. And I remember like, you know, I grew up going to a small, like super small church and he took me to this, like, it was pretty, like big sized church. And it was like a building. And I thought, like, is this a college?

Is this like a mall? Where are we? I have no idea what we're doing here, bro. And he brought me in and I met the like, art director at the church and he actually ended up like mentoring me for like five years. And it was cool because he, he showed me how to turn like the gifting that Gaga was already creative, but he taught me how to turn it into, like, a career and to, like, they challenged me a lot.

And it's really. I think the best place to be a creative is in the church because you have to wear every hat. And so, like, I learned graphic design. I learned how to video edit. Sometimes you.

Podcast host. I get to be a podcast host. And then I got to, like, learn, like, oh, cool, I gotta learn to make an app now. I got to learn how to do, like, coding. I got to learn all these things.

And I did that. I was on staff at a church for six years, and then it took. I took a break from using my, like, giftings for the church, and then I started my own business, and that's, like, what we're doing now. But it was like, this journey of, like, it wasn't because I'm great and just showed up. It was because I was, like, down to put in the work.

And also because I surrounded myself with people that were, like, believers that had the best intention. Tension for me. Yeah. So as you were in that season of now applying your talents to, like, kingdom work, so to speak. Yeah.

Like, how are you kind of, like, how. What was your thought process towards it? Like, were you immediately receptive? Were you wrestling with, like, what. This wasn't part of my plan.

Like, did it. Did it just feel like this stepping stone? Like, how did you think about it, dude? I honestly, like, I would say that part of my life and even looking at it now is like, I'm just super grateful for it. Like, when I look at it, like, the people, the pastors that we connected with, the, like, literally everybody on staff at a church like, that, they were, like, taking a risk on me.

Like, they're like, you know, who's this random? I literally just showed up one day and I just never left. Like, I literally showed up, like, on a Friday. And I think I showed up, like, six, seven days a week for like, a year straight, just volunteering because I didn't have anywhere else to go. Yeah.

And, like, I had my son. I would literally bring my son in a baby bijorn while I would design, like, I'm, like, on a wacom tablet and like, literally, like, building out an app, and he's, like, there with a little playpen, and, like, I would take him to shoots just like this, and we'd have literally, like, a little crib there, and he would just, like, kick it with me. And it was kind of crazy because I didn't really, you know, it's not that I. Like, I didn't have any other direction except for to be, like, all in. Yeah.

And, you know, again, you can have a dream, but it's also, like, important that the people that you surround yourself with, like, believe in it, too, are willing to give you those opportunities, but also, like, are willing to guide you, because there's definitely, like, ideas that I look back, I had these crazy ideas I wanted to do, but also, like, giants, dope, but why don't we go this way? And it was like, all right, I'm willing to learn and to, like, take my creative giftings, but also, like, get it stewarded by somebody who's, like, 10 steps ahead of me so I can learn from them. So as you started taking steps towards building your own business. Yeah, like, how early were you already dreaming about that? Like, was that from the beginning and now it was just finally time?

Yeah, I was just trying to make it. I was trying to survive, bro. You know, I think the first, like, two, three years of, you know, raising a kid, it was like, it was challenging for multiple reasons, but it was also, like, I woke up every day, like, excited. And I still, like. I'm very blessed to say, but, like, you know, some people like, like, what they do.

Like, I love what I do, bro. Like, it's like, my favorite thing to talk about. Like, if you ever catch me at a coffee shop or anywhere at church, we could talk about this stuff, because all day. Cause it's literally, like, that's the gifting way that God wired me. And so it's like, I lean into it pretty heavy, and I'm, like, super grateful for it.

And so I've always been, like, excited to work and excited to use what God has gifted me with. Yeah. Yeah. And so, yeah, it's. I knew that I always would end up doing more, but in the season, like, for sure, that season, I. I was there for six years.

And the first two, three years, though, I was literally just trying to survive as a single dad. Like, yeah, I would be, like, at Walmart at midnight trying to find. Ask the people that work. They're like, hey, which baby food do I give my kid? Like, I have no idea.

Like, I was just trying to make it work. And so a lot of that, like, if I had to title that part of my life, it was survival. And then now it's like, then it's. Then I got married. I ended up growing our family, and it was like, oh, wow.

Like, God has, like, a plan for me that's probably bigger than I like, dude, there's no way I could imagine, like, what I'm doing now, you know, and creatively, you just kept pushing it. Yeah. I think in looking at that whole story from, like, a broader perspective, I think it's a good reminder that, like, the. When we talk about dreams, they're not always tangible, written down, very super clear. Yeah, there is.

On our part, it feels a bit like stumbling. And on the Lord's part, he's laying out that for us to stumble into. Yeah, for sure. I feel like. Yeah, like, those, like.

Like those mazes. And you're like, okay, I'm going to keep going. Okay, I hit a wall. Or I keep going. I hit a wall.

Or, like, there's actually no path this way. Like, I got to go this way. But I think, like, as long as you're willing to, like, continue to lean into it and, you know, just like, I always, like, kind of hold it like this. Like, bro, whatever you want me to do, like, I will do. And like, now we're at a place, like, in our family life and even in, like, in business and.

Or just in our calling is where we literally hold it like this. And it's like, okay, God, like, if you tell me to pack up everything, just move across the country, like, I'll do it like, you know, or like, God, if you tell me to, like, stop this and start that, like, I have no idea about this, but I'm game to do it because he said to do it. Like, and I know that, like, if I keep taking that action, kind of the leap of faith or like, that motion, like, God will, like, step. God will, like, allow me to fail sometimes for sure. But also, I just know that I have, like, the blessing over my life because I'm hearing from him.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. How do you. How do you begin to organize or think about, like, the kind of clash is probably not the right word, but how all these. The different dreams all kind of exist separate but also have to just clash together. So it's where you live.

Maybe moving across the country, getting married or having a bigger family, doing the design thing. How do you, like, tell even younger people, like, to deal with all that? Because you can really boil it down to, like, there's just this one dream for your life. And it's. And often we connect profession, which isn't even.

That's not your whole life. Yeah. It's just part of your life, who you are. Yeah. So how do you.

Yeah. How do you try to, like, talk to people about balancing all the different dreams. Yeah, I think it's like, you know, you got to, like, even, like, for, like, with what we do in marketing, right. And, like, in our advertising stuff, it's like you have to test. Nobody know, nobody's a fortune teller.

And, like, you have to, like, experiment. You got to try it. And I think as long as you give yourself margin to, like, experiment a little bit, like, God will tell you yes or no. He'll open doors, he'll close doors, he'll leave them cracked a little bit. He'll tell you, like, oh, maybe there's opportunity.

There's not. But, like, if you don't ever try it, you'll never know. And so a lot of times when I talk with people, particularly, like, young people, I'm like, dude, like, I'm. I am here. And, like, not because I'm, like, great or anything.

I'm really here just because, like, I leaned in and, like, yeah, it really is, like, about you. Like, okay, try it. Like, dude, like, there you could have a dream about something that feels so far out of reach and, like, you don't need to be an expert at it, but you might just spend 30 minutes to learn about it. Yeah. Like, call some people up.

Like, you know, like, go to a meeting and just, like, ask, how do you guys even do this? Like, don't. Don't be afraid to, like, position yourself, like, in more of a learning aspect because nobody's arrived. But you got to just keep trying. Each time we've talked, you.

You seem to be on the. Or try to be on the forefront of, like, the tools that are coming out, Right? Absolutely. You seem very interested in that, where I'm a bit more, like, apprehensive to get going. And so I, you know.

Yeah, I respect that you're going there. So from your perspective, like, does any of the new possibilities or tools, like, give you any specific vision about, like, what the creative world can do in the kingdom? Oh, man. Dude, that's a great question. I, like, geek out on that stuff.

I'm like, I'm a total nerd when it comes to that. But at the end of the day, AI or just different platforms and tools is really all they are, is tools. Now it's just more accessible to people. Back in the day, there was a lot of red tape or things that you had to step through before you could have a vision and take it to life. And now it's just a couple clicks, and it genuinely is like, a couple clicks.

And so it actually, in my opinion, it's great. Like, I have a big team. I have a team of people that we lead. And a lot of times it's like, they'll come to me with ideas and it's like, why don't you just make it then? You know, and they're like, how?

And it's like, dude, if you like, here, here's some links. Learn it. And like, you kind of have to be a self learner in that space. But also is there's almost anything is possible now with these tools. So for you, the vision is less vision about a specific like task that could be done, but more that any of the tasks could be done if someone had the idea.

Because even for like our team, ideas are brought to us all the time. And the roadblock is that can it be done? And so you feel like the tools are getting so good that most things could be achieved. Oh yeah, dude. Yeah.

And like, can it be done like efficiently? And can it be done like, you know, back in the day, if I asked you to literally 10 years ago, I say, hey, can you dev out a 75 page website for me? You know you're going to be like, well, great. Do you have a quarter million dollars and you have five years of design to build this? It's like you could build that in a weekend.

Yeah. Because the tools are there now and it's. And speaking from experience, it's like, yeah, it's mind blowing. But also then you get this like, oh my gosh, you could do anything you want. What do you want to do?

And if anything, it's exciting because now you can actually say, man, what is this dream I have for my life? I can actually at least try it. And it's a lot more affordable, faster. And you could test an idea really fast and it might hit and it might not, but it's always better than never trying and never knowing what's kind of your feedback. To the naysayer believer who's a bit like the church or believers shouldn't be using all these tools.

Who knows why? They have all their reasons, but they can be kind of apprehensive about using it. Yeah, I mean it's, I think there's, you know, there's beauty in like being a purist to a certain degree about certain things. And like my family and I are very much so, like on that train. But there's also like, God put us on the earth for a time like this and it's like, if we're not taking advantage of these tools, other people are.

Yeah. And I would much Rather know what's possible than choose to like be naive and not actually take action towards it. Because again, the world is still going to move forward. And if I have the ability to be a part of it, understand it, but then help put the spin on what God has asked me to do into it, I would do that all day. Like that's totally the, you know, it's an attitude again of learning and attitude of like experimenting and trying to.

And I think God will honor that and I know he honors that. And I also know that like he wants us to like we should be the church, we're the innovate. Like we. He's given us literally gifts of like innovation, of design, of creativity. Like why are we going to be second best to what the world is offering?

We should be leading it instead of trying to be like it. I agree with that. So it's a finger snap moment. There you go, there you go. So to kind of wrap up a lot of this story, like I've been believing through this whole Selah process that people are listening and they're in their time of prayer and fasting and that has naturally opened up a window of thought process because hopefully you have more time to think as you're forsaking a meal.

And so now it's you and the Lord or you're not engaging in as much media. So as they're doing that, I would think there's a number of people out there who feel some type of creative gifting but have like kind of tabled it maybe, or maybe they dabbled in it for a while and life hit them and then they had a table it. So what would be some encouragement you'd have to them as they're kind of wrestling with that feeling? Yeah. What would you say?

I would say, you know, there's never a better time than now. I think like tools again are accessible and it's. If you spend some time in learning, like the, the biggest advice I can give to anybody who's like in that situation or season is like, be a learner, like constantly learn, always ask questions. If you don't know it, go find out. Don't just like, oh, I guess I hit a wall.

It's like you kind of have to like break through those and you kind of. And. Or maybe you don't break through it. Maybe go around it. Like there's a million ways to get to what you need to and so if you want it bad enough, you will.

I think the biggest thing that creative people lack is discipline because it's like, you can get disappointed, and you can be like, we're kind of like emotional creatures sometimes. You know, you're just like, I guess it didn't work out, or like, I guess the guy never called me back. Like, you know, but it's like, if you really push it and you really feel like God just called you to it, like, he'll find the way for you. But again, he can't steer a parked car. Like, give him something to work with.

Like, go for it. Put yourself out there, try it, and have the confidence that God will show up. And again, it might not be like, perfect path, but, like, you'll look back in, you know, 15 years and be like, there's literally no way I could end up where I'm at right now if I did it my way. I had to really kind of relinquish that and just be open to him pushing me and guiding me and closing doors and opening them, too. Yeah.

And I think something our team talks about a lot is, like, our job, the creative department's job, is to be a support team. We're supposed to support the vision. That's not always the case. If you're a creative and you're making your own things for your own vision, of course that's different. But I think the unique role we can have as believers who are also creatives is there's, like, infinite opportunity to support right now.

Because it doesn't really matter if you're talking about someone who just wants to be, like, a traveling evangelist or a church of 100 people. Like, every one of these leaders and pastors needs some type of technological support to help connect to others. Absolutely. And again, that's why it's like, those tools are there for the. For that reason, and you should take advantage of it.

And, you know, there's, like, I think as, like, creatives, like, we have superpowers, like, where we can experiment fast and we could try something. And especially when you're creative at a church is like, everything is important and every ask is important. But you're also like, okay, let's actually identify what is the metric of success here? And it's like, are we, like, serving God well? Are we serving with excellence in our position?

Are we. Are we providing value to a ministry so that they can do what God's equipped them to do? Yeah, you know, and I think that's. Those are kind of the questions I like to ask. And also, you know, what is, like, a pass or fail metric?

And I think, you know, God will bless it if you want. Or one, willing to show up and then two, like, give it your all. And, like, do you have to be Picasso? No. Like, do you have to be, like, you know, a crazy coder and developer?

No. But are you at least willing to have a vision and just, like, put yourself out there? Like, God could totally take that and do something, like, amazing with it. Yeah, man. Well, is there any last thoughts you want to leave us with?

Your brain might be bursting with them, but. Oh, bro. Yeah, I love. I. It's fun to talk about, man.

And honestly, like, the biggest thing I would say is, like, you know. Yeah, just be, like, a lifelong learner. Like, you have to, like, don't ever settle with just, like, okay, I know enough now. It's like, dude, like, there's so many that God is. There's 8 billion people on this Earth.

Like, go learn from them. Like, try something new. Don't be afraid to look stupid. Like, don't be afraid to put yourself out there, you know, ask questions. And you'll be grateful that you did, because eventually it'll become, like, second nature to you.

I look back, like, on the creative journey, bro, and, like, I don't even know how to, like, turn on the program, you know, let alone, like, turn on my laptop, you know? It was just like, what? And now it's, like, cool. Like, we're in the zone or in the space. And now it's, like, not about me, but now we're able to give back to the team and, like, challenge them with thinking that way, too, and it's been really cool to see.

That's awesome. Well, I appreciate Gian coming on with us, and I just believe in that, as you've been listening to these, that you've been encouraged, and I would just encourage you to check out the next episode to push through over the next Days of the Selah fast and tune in next time.

Sam.