My first feature film as a writer-director, Healing River, in production.
“This is what the LORD God says, ‘In returning and rest shall you be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.’ But you would not.” ~Isaiah 30:15
Nearly 20 years ago, I received Isaiah 30:15-18 as a promise from God. I don’t usually “claim” promises from God (like never). But I felt deeply impressed that this was real.
I assumed the last line (“but you would not”) didn’t apply to me. And verses 16 through 18 were about the Israelites to whom the promise was originally given. I was a seasoned Jesus follower, so, unlike the Israelites who tried to fulfill the promise themselves, I knew I wouldn’t do that.
As a part of the promise, my wife and I felt called to make movies. So I secured a day-job teaching filmmaking, and she became the production coordinator at an animation and special effects company.
Then the teaching gig ended. And the movie deals, almost miraculously, fell apart:
- A mega-studio held-off sending my contract for a “sold” movie project, and then produced it without me.
- A film financier’s marriage collapsed (cheating and guns were involved) hours before he was supposed to transfer the money for our upcoming production.
- A division of Warner Bros went broke just before they were supposed to begin work on their next feature film–my project.
- And an executive at 20th Century Fox suddenly kaboshed a movie I’d pitched after the production division had already said yes.
I pushed harder. And harder. Desperately trying to fulfill God’s promise. True, I’d sensed from the start that the promise was about more than just making movies; it was about becoming the person I needed to be, and that others needed me to be.
Finally, the money ran out. So we quit the movie biz and moved to Ohio, where I served at a church for four years. Then one day I revisited that Isaiah passage, the part I figured hadn’t applied to me:
“But you would not, ‘No, you said, ‘We will flee on horses.’ And therefore, you will flee! You said, ‘We will ride off on swift horses.’ Therefore, your pursuers will be swifter! You will flee until you are left (unprotected and exposed) like a flag on a mountaintop.’ But the LORD (still) longs to be gracious to you (to fulfill His promise).”
And then it struck me: The passage begins with a challenge, not to amass “horses” and armies, but to “return and rest.” Not to frantically wage war and “win,” but to find strength (the fulfillment of the promise) “in quietness and confidence.”
Like the Israelites, I’d never fulfilled my role.
So, without expecting ever to make movies again, I entered a time of renewal, of returning and resting, of seeking nothing more than God himself. I learned more than I ever had before about who I was, and who I needed to be. And I began to find my true strength.
And then one day an Ohio (not Hollywood) movie company called and said,
∴
To watch or order Healing River, click here.
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I love to hear stories like this.
And a side note: My Bible study group just finished reading Isaiah
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Great. It’s a treasure trove of prophecy and wisdom, isn’t it, Andrew.
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It is. We figured we could spend years studying it and not scratch the surface.
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Very strong testimony dear.Thank you for relying on him.Take care.🌷👍🙏
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You too, Francis.
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Thanks a lot.🌷👍🙏
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Patience is a virtue, but not one we come by easily. So often it’s hard to know if the Spirit is telling us to act or to wait and watch even when the word is right in front of us. Thanks for sharing your story.
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Love this!
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Love this story – especially because it’s true. Two days ago I was talking with a friend who had had everything fall apart JUST as each thing was about to come through. This post made me think of her. May I forward it to her?
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Of course, Annie.
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Also from Isaiah: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (55:8-9). Of course, those years you pursued moviemaking were not without purpose; God never fails in accomplishing his plans. We’re just not always apprised of what he’s orchestrating and why. Things can look quite grim to us. That’s why I so appreciate your testimony, Mitch–not only how God miraculously blessed you in the end, but especially of the faith that carried you through the unknowns of the desert.
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Thank you, Nancy. God can be wonderfully ruthless, can’t he? I know you’ve experienced it yourself.
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Indeed we have!
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I enjoyed this! So often I hear God telling me this year that it’s his job to figure it out, not mine. Faith is always needed!
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I feel like I’m in a time like that. I’m in a new season. We’ll see where it goes. Thanks, Mitch, for putting yourself out there. God bless!
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You too, Nancy!
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How many times do we set out to do or get things we want,yet God has a way of letting us get to the end of ourselves so that we can see what it is He has in store for us! We must learn to allow the potter to form the clay into what is for His purpose. A hard lesson,but a peaceful one. God Bless you Mitch. (Matthew 11:28-30).
Julia
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Thanks, Julia. You too.
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Wow. You can’t buy that. That is a precious gift from God that you will never forget and it’s personal. And it’s those “personals” that melts our hearts like nothing else can. It’s those one on one’s where Jesus lets you know you are His and He is yours. Beautiful Mitch, thank you so much for sharing. May God’s grace, peace, joy and blessings be poured upon you and yours.
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Likewise, my friend.
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What a moving and powerful testimony, Mitch! I’m glad you shared your story with us.
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Thank you, Patty.
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God is sneaky that way. Surprising us with grace when we really don’t think it can happen. Thanks for sharing your story and your life with us.
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My privilege, Shirley.
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Your story gives me some much-needed hope and correction. Thank you for your vulnerability and open heart, Mitch.
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I guess, what is happening to me now is something like this too. A pause, a renewal, and redirection.
Thank you for this!
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Love this! Gives me hope ❤️
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Oh the circles we must travel… like the Israelites in the desert.
I love your story. Thanks for sharing
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My pleasure, Beck.
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Great story and testimony of ‘claiming’ and testing God’s word. I appreciate the marital teamwork too!
Press on brother!
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Thanks, Lisa!
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This is so encouraging. It’s true, God wants us to do our part in making things happen in our lives (studying, working hard, pushing doors etc), ultimately He is the one who opens the doors and provides for us. Thanks for the reminder- especially during a pandemic where much of life is NOT going according to plan!
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Thanks for sharing this.
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Isn’t that exactly how God works? (Asked with a chuckle and knowing smile from personal experiences.) He’s always more interested in the relationship with us than His promise to us…because He IS the promise. So thankful you found Him and His promise for you. I look forward to watching these movies and more. 😊 Blessings!
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You too, and good to meet you!
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I needed the reassurance of this post. Thank you.
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My pleasure. Glad it spoke to you.
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Pingback: My Experiment in Becoming Human | Mitch Teemley
isaiah 55:40-43
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