Where the Journey is Sustained

Today we wrapped up our Journey series with a look at the final part — how we feed others. This has been kind of a personal topic for me because I think I have really been growing in this particular pursuit this year.

Last week, I referenced a clip from "Angels and Demons" where Tom Hanks' Robert Langdon answers the question of whether or not he believes in God. That scene stuck out to me and stuck with me for days. Last summer, when I was talking to Graham and another friend about the movie, explaining that scene was an indication to me of a more open spirit toward the Gospel, Graham simply responded by asking if I'd ever thought of teaching a class on film. To that point, I never had.

That suggestion kind of stuck with me. Being an introvert and a writer, I decided to mix my passions by writing a non-fiction book tearing apart the worldviews displayed in films. I called it "Faith in Film." I worked on it for months, making good progress, but there was still a small voice in my head that I should do more to share what I was learning and what I was studying with other.

In the spring, I finally got up the nerve to suggest I could teach a class during the summer. I came up with a list of movies — some culled from my book writing — and proposed it. I assumed it would get rejected, but at least I could say I tried. Graham loved it.

So I sent it to the Steering Team, again figuring it would probably be rejected because of the controversial nature of some of the films on the list. They also loved it. It was at that point I knew I was locked in, that God had a bigger purpose for me.

I spent several months prepping and writing, preparing for the first class. And when that class came, I was as nervous as I could be. But I got up there, voice quivering, and started. The beginning was a little rough but, as I got into it and started to speak, all that melted away and I just knew what I had to say and how to say it.

I don't think it was the greatest class ever, but I know I learned a lot and it seemed that those that came each week did too. It was a chance for us to share our faith, look at the views of the world, and grow. I've always believed you can't reach people unless you know what they believe and why. This class, studying the worldviews presented in films, offered a chance to do just that.

I don't know what kind of impact those 12 weeks will have for others, but I know I will never be the same. And I know I didn't do anything during those 12 weeks except to accept the call God placed on my heart and let him speak through me.

I think that's what feeding others is all about. You don't have to be perfect, you don't have to plan the perfect speech, you just have to let your light shine and let God speak through you. And he will. I know he did for me.