Story ~ A year and a half ago
A year and a half ago, I suddenly got the feeling at work, that I was running out of breath. In my generation, this is called “feeling like a hamster on a wheel” – you keep running in circles, doing the same thing without change, and see no hope for improvement or the arrival of something enriching or developing.
[~] 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 creation of an online film archive – library of films with spiritual and Christian themes.
There would be films like Hacksaw Ridge: The Beginning of a Hero, The Passion of the Christ, the series Chosen – just countless films and programs that are hard to find (legally) in our region.
I told him: “Wow, that sounds great! Really very bold project, but you have it well thought out. And this document – you’ll show it to potential donors, so they can contribute, right?”
And he said: “No, Ondra. I’m showing it primarily to you, to excite you about it. I’m putting together a team and I’d like you to be a part of it.”
And you know I said, that I feel like a hamster on a wheel. That I’m in crisis and desperately looking for something to enrich my work life…
Of course, I agreed!
[~] During 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, purchased a lot of licenses for new films, and inspired a whole range of donors and subscribers… Today you can watch 8000 minutes of Christian films on Filmaně, and the number keeps growing!
But is it a success? Donors and contributors may be filled with hope; subscribers feel like they’ve gained something beneficial for their spiritual life; God may be looking down and sending His blessings…
We in the implementation team value it, but we know very well, that a long and thorny road lies ahead of us, which can end unexpectedly at any time.
And therefore these words, that I’m saying to you today, are not words of boasting, nor are they even words of gratitude for having accomplished something magnificent.
No, I wanted to share with you a completely different thought. And to illustrate and explain this, I would like to read a text from God’s word that has resonated strongly within me for a long time.
Conclusion ~ Maybe it will work
[Samuel 14:1–6] [B21]
1 One day, Saul’s son Jonathan said to his armor-bearer: “Come, let’s go over to that Philistine outpost over there.” But he did not tell his father. 2 (Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree in Migron. His army numbered about 600 men 3 including Ahijah, who was wearing the ephod. He was the son of the brother of Ichabod, Ahitub, son of Phinehas, son of Eli, the priest of the Lord at Shiloh.) No one knew about Jonathan's departure.
4 On both sides of the pass that Jonathan wanted to cross to reach the Philistine outpost were rocky cliffs. One was called Bozez and the other Sene; 5 one rose on the north side against Michmash, and the other against 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 up, took his armor-bearer, sneaked past his father, and said: “Perhaps the Lord will be with us.”
POSSIBLY THE LORD WILL BE WITH US!
WHAT BOLDNESS!
You can read how the story ended for yourself. Neither my story nor Honza’s story is over yet – and none of us can see all the endings.
My friend Honza got up, called his armor-bearers, and embarked on a project, of which he wasn’t sure if it would even succeed.
BUT WHAT WAS HE SURE OF?
…that if he did nothing, it definitely would not succeed.
If he did nothing, no Filmana would be created.
Honza was bold, courageous – and his boldness inspired me to support his project.
And with this, 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’s way!
Dare to approach your neighbor who is unpleasant to you every morning.
Dare to offer help to a colleague at work who feels like a hamster on a wheel.
Dare to sing praises, say a word from behind the pulpit, or lead Sabbath school…
And when you dare, perhaps the Lord will be with you.
For nothing is too hard for the Lord to save, whether we try for a lot or a little.
AMEN.
Ondřej Koláček