Story ~ A Year and a Half Ago
A year and a half ago, I suddenly felt, like I was running out of breath. In my generation, we call it “feeling like a hamster on a wheel” – you keep running in circles, doing the same thing without change, seeing no hope for improvement or the arrival of anything enriching or developmental.
[~] Around the same time, my good friend Honza – a producer of commercials, documentaries, and Christian programs – reached out to me.
He sent me a two-page document titled GODFLIX, which presented his idea for the birth of an online film library – a library of films with spiritual and Christian themes.
There would be films like Hacksaw Ridge: The Birth of a Hero, The Passion of the Christ, the series Chosen – just countless films and programs that are difficult to find (legally) in our region.
I told him: “Wow, that sounds great! Really very bold project, but you’ve thought it through well. And this document – you’ll show it to potential donors to get their support, right?”
And he replied: “No, Ondra. I’m showing this primarily to you, to get you excited about it. I’m assembling a team and I’d like you to be a part of it.”
And you know that I said that I feel like a hamster on a wheel. That I’m in a crisis and desperately looking for something to enrich my work life…
Of course, I agreed!
[~] Over that year and a half, the Godflix project underwent many transformations. We chose a more original name: Filmana – film mana, food for the soul.
We expanded the team with more members, acquired many licenses for new films, and inspired a whole range of donors and subscribers… Today, on Filmana, you can watch 8000 minutes of Christian films, and the number keeps growing!
But is it a success? Perhaps it gives hope to donors and supporters; it gives subscribers a sense that they have gained something beneficial for their spiritual lives; God may be looking down and sending His blessings…
We in the implementation team appreciate that, but we know well that there is still a long and thorny road ahead, which could end unexpectedly at any time.
And that’s why the words I share with you today are not words of boasting. They are not even words of gratitude for having accomplished something great.
No, I wanted to share a completely different thought with you. And to illustrate and explain that to you, I would like to read a text from God’s word that has strongly resonated within me for a long time.
Conclusion ~ Maybe It Will Work
[Samuel 14:1–6] [B21]
1 One day, Jonathan, the son of Saul, said to his armor-bearer: “Come, let’s go over to the Philistine outpost over there.” He did not tell his father about it. 2 (Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree at Migran. His army numbered about 600 men 3 including Ahijah, who was wearing the ephod. He was the son of Ahitub, the brother of Ichabod, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the priest of the Lord at Shiloh.) No one knew about Jonathan’s departure.
4 On both sides of the pass, where Jonathan intended to go over to the Philistine outpost, there were rocky cliffs. One was called Bozez, and the other Senne; 5 one faced north toward Michmash, the other toward Geba.
6 “Come,” Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”
The Lord calls some of us to great things, that is true. But Jonathan did not wait for a calling.
Jonathan did not even wait for his father’s approval. Jonathan did not consult the commanders and generals.
Instead, Jonathan got off his chair, took his armor-bearer, snuck past his father and said: “Perhaps the Lord will be with us.”
PERHAPS THE LORD WILL BE WITH US!
WHAT BOLDNESS!
You can read how the story turned out for yourself. My story and Honza's story are not over yet – and none of us can predict all the ends.
My friend Honza got up, called his armor-bearer, and embarked on a project he wasn’t sure would even work.
BUT WHAT WAS HE SURE OF?
…that if he didn’t try anything, it definitely wouldn’t work.
If he didn’t try anything, there would be no Filmana.
Honza was bold, courageous – and his boldness inspired me for his project.
And with that, I want to say goodbye: Be bold in seeking God’s glory.
Don't pray for God to send someone your way – you go to someone!
Try to be bold enough to approach your neighbor who’s unpleasant to you every morning.
Try to be bold enough to offer help to a colleague at work who feels like a hamster on a wheel.
Try to be bold enough to sing praises, speak a word from behind the pulpit, or lead a Sabbath school…
And when you dare, perhaps the Lord will be with you.
For nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether we attempt many things or few.
AMEN.
Ondřej Koláček