Last week we had the privilege of working with a colleague whom I’ll call Lily. Lily is a believer, has lots of media experience, and sometimes translates our scripts into her native language. But for me, the most notable thing about Lily is how genuinely humble she is. I’m not sure how many times she thanked me last week (not to mention how many times she thanked other IMM members), but it was certainly more than I deserved. She had spent hours working on her feet, while I sat doing a simple task. She is affectionate like a mother, hugging you gently or smiling warmly at the smallest compliment or “gift” of food shared with her. Lily prayed in her native language at morning devotions, and even though I didn’t understand the words, I could hear the deep conviction in her voice that Jesus heard every word.
This isn’t just a big brag fest for Lily. This is a challenge to me and hopefully to you. During our time in the studio, Lily became emotional at one point. A line in the script reminded her of when she was on trial for being a Christian. “These aren’t stories,” she said about the court scene we were working on. “This isn’t history. This is going on today.” I couldn’t help but shed a few tears. True persecution--being physically endangered or harmed because of my faith--has never been my reality. Lily went on to tell us that when she was on trial, she was asked three times if she believed in Jesus. She was given three opportunities to deny her faith, much like Peter after Jesus’s arrest. She told us that each time she boldly proclaimed her faith in Jesus; she didn’t back down, even though she knew the consequences would be less severe if she simply said no. The most powerful part was when she told us, “I couldn’t have done that [stood up for Jesus] in my own strength. That’s how I know it was the Holy Spirit. I couldn’t have spoken with that much power.”
I’ve heard stories like this before. Often they’re second-hand: a preacher retelling a story he heard from someone he met while doing ministry. Other times I’ve seen them in print. Usually, they leave me feeling like a lightweight Christian, to be completely transparent. Even though they all say “It was all Jesus,” I just don’t know if I would have what it takes to look near-death in the eyes and stand my ground. But to look Lily in the eyes and see someone completely human: sweet and silly with her own set of idiosyncrasies...it shook me.
Lily’s kind of faith is not reserved for Christians in court trials. Her story and her attitude radiate an awareness of and a dependence on a strength that is not her own. How much time do I spend depending on my own strength? How many seconds do I squander, thinking that an outcome rests solely on me? I’m not in any imminent danger for being a Christian, but even in this moment today I can start consciously “shifting my weight” onto His strength instead of mine, with the big things and the small stuff. May I stop thinking I can do it all and be enough on my own.
When you give to IMM, you give us opportunities to work with some amazing people--many of whom have risked it all to follow Jesus. Many are from countries where privately-shared media is one of the only ways people can learn about Jesus. And how rich and rewarding these opportunities are. Working with Lily and similar colleagues has only served to bolster and encourage me as I help put Jesus on every screen--so that others like Lily can hear about Him and know that they are not alone. Lily told us numerous times what a blessing it was to work with us, and at one point she said, “I wish I had heard this story sooner. It would have strengthened me so much.” Praise God for what He is doing here at IMM! Your prayer and support truly are changing the world one soul at a time.