A long time ago a little boy was born. He was blessed with godly, Christian parents and two older brothers, (and plenty of younger siblings, but they’re not part of the story). The little boy grew and thrived under the capable guidance of his parents. They taught him to weigh everything with scripture, to recognize right from wrong and be unspotted by the world.
As he grew older he began to feel God calling him to make his life work creating God-honoring films. The more he studied the independent Christian film movement, the more he was convinced that this was God’s will and the more excited he became.
He began to study how to make films. He read, watched and listened to everything he could get his hands on. He discussed it with his parents and decided to attend film school.
Meanwhile, his parents reminded him to trust God with the outcome. “You may never become a filmmaker. Perhaps God has some other plan for your life. Just trust Him with your future and wait for Him to bring you the opportunities to make films.”
So that’s exactly what he did. He finished film school with high honors and he was finally ready to start the real work. His parents, mentors and peers all cautioned him to not go out and look for jobs making films, or think about it too much, but instead to just be content where God has him and just wait.
So he waited…and waited…and waited…. As the years went by he began to be impatient and talked about offering his services to more experienced filmmakers in order to get hands-on experience. But he was always told, “God obviously doesn’t think you’re ready yet since He hasn’t provided work. You need to wait patiently. Don’t try to get ahead of God. Have faith!”
So he kept on waiting. While he waited he found other things to occupy his time. He went traveling all over the world, meeting people and seeing new and interesting sights. He got a job as a janitor for a large firm that gave him the money and the freedom to continue traveling.
This went on for another ten years. The boy is a man now. He’s 35 years old, still working as a janitor. He’s settled down some. He doesn’t travel much anymore. Every day he prays that God will give him the opportunity to make films, but that opportunity hasn’t come yet. So he keeps waiting and trusting God.
If you were a good friend of this man, what would you advise him to do?
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1 comments:
You have posed a question whose object sounds like he needs a profound answer. I don't know that I have one, but I will pray for this young moan and offer the following observation(s).
The young man in question may find some inspiration in the story of the Kendrick brothers who have produced three films, Flywheel, Facing the Giants, and Fireproof, with no prior moving making experience and most importantly, at what they believe was the divine direction of God. I would recommend that he go to his local library and borrow them in that order, as they are available, on DVD. The movies will be encouraging, but watch the 'Behind the scenes' type material included as special features of the DVD release.
In their second film, "Facing the Giants" an older gentleman tells a story of two farmers who needed rain for their crops. Neither saw any rainclouds. One sat around waiting to see the rain and the other prepared his fields. The question is posed, which one lived out his faith? Of course the one who prepared his fields did.
It would seem to me that making movies is about communicating a message. What message has God given this young man to communicate? Once that question is answered, assuming he feels so directed, make the movie. (In writing this, I realize the object my my prose has just changed from third person to second. I hope it's not to confusing.) Don't get a job from someone else making the movie of their message. Make your own movie of the message God has given you. The first one will not be played in hundreds of theaters across this country, granted. It may only be seen by family and friends. But in your personal time, when not janitoring to pay the bills, work on this project yourself.
I'm not telling you to do anything outside God's will or timing... but what I am saying is that you should not assume God is going to use a Hollywood producer to fullfil his call in your life.
For reference, I'm a married, 34 y/o, Bible-believing male. Remember, when Jesus started His ministry, he was 30. (Back to third-person references...) At 35, the young man in question here is only 5 years behind God's record. :)
He sounds like a real upstanding character and I'd be curious to get to talk with him sometime (by blog/e-mail/etc). He (and you) are welcome to check my blog out if you want to establish further contact.
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