SAGACITY

Tough… Inner City…

A film project. That’s what we are working on. The nature of the project lends itself to controversy, but through it the exploration of life lived may have a profound impact on how we view others. That is my belief, my hope anyway.

One of the guys in our group recommended I watch this film. I did. It contains many elements of tough, inner city, life, struggle, and much more.

I can’t recommend it to everyone – It is a HARD R rating with pervasive language that many would find too offensive to sit through. But it is so much more than that. There are a couple of very poignant moments that leave you breathless, heart broken, fearful and nervous.

The direction of this film puts into perspective deep issues that many have struggled with in different ways, and presents it in a tough, inner city approach that brings real life into the living room, and for me touches something deep down that is hard to describe but worthy of exploration.

Be warned – If you decide to view the film, it is raw, gritty, tough to listen to and watch at times. Not particularly violent, but the acting is superb and the moments where expression without words, realization of what just happened, struggling with recognizing oneself, and much more can be had if you can get past the language and a couple of questionable content elements.

There are a couple of fathers here that bring to life the realities of real fatherhood and impact, good and bad that a fathers influence has…

Validation

A pastor friend showed me this video – it’s 15 minutes and well worth the watch…

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When you do something for someone else, don’t call attention to yourself. You’ve seen them in action, I’m sure—’playactors’ I call them— treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that’s all they get. When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out – Matthew 6:3-5 (The Message)

Survivor

Currently one of my video projects is to edit a 3 min video for a survivor audition tape. I didn’t get to shoot the footage so I have to use what was provided. That would be good if what was provided was of use. There is barely 5 min worth of footage to create with, and what is there needs desperately to be shot again. At least that was my initial reaction.

Then I heard a message from my pastor yesterday and I realized that gifts are gifts, as provided. Use them to do with what you will, hopefully in a way that is honoring and fulfilling. Now, the message was not about gifts, but about recognition, second chances, opportunities and seizing the moments. When we struggle to achieve it is frustrating and typically riddled with less than the best. I find it difficult when I approach something with the idea that I could do better, rather than the simple grace that allows for others to be themselves, and through that see the beauty and the gem that someone else is holding.

While not everything may appear to be a beautiful gem to us, that does not mean it isn’t to someone else. “One man’s treasure…” is an old saying but has many implications as to what we value and how we approach those valuables.

When I see the video work that I am to create a super selling audition tape from, I am faced with a choice.  I can use what I have, and trust God to work through me so that the person receiving the finished product will be pleased and excited that their chances of being chosen just increased, or I can utilize my own way of thinking and ”do it my way”.

Peter the apostle had chances, and took risks. He failed miserably and succeeded in the process. We can all learn from that example. Using what we have, being happy with who we are, and using the gifts God gave us to work out our salvation is a process that is ever changing, but is always fulfilling.

As I take another look at the survivor project, and review the footage, I can see that God gives new eyes to look at it through the filter of grace. A grace to find the best in what I have, is the same as finding the best in people. We usually don’t have to look to far when we use Christ as our compass. Christ is in EVERYTHING, and even in this project…If I just recognize Him, it becomes easy to select the right moments, the right words, the right music….

Psalm 104:29-31 

When you turn away from them, they become frightened.
When you take away their breath, they die and turn to dust.
When you breathe on them,  they are created,
and you make the land new again.

May the glory of the Lord be forever. May the Lord enjoy what he has made.

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