The Little Things

I arrived in Spain in mid-March, right before the shoot for the Esther social media piece began.  I was interested in it because Esther has always been one of the Bible stories that I enjoy.  The story of a young woman who was chosen to be queen despite being a foreigner living in the Persian Empire.  She was a woman who had doubts and fears, yet chose to stand up for her people.  She is an inspiring example of a strong, powerful woman.  

The people already in Spain had been working on this Esther piece for a few months already when I arrived.  I landed and was able to start helping right away with different aspects of pre-production.  

The day before we started the shoot, we brought props and set pieces over to the building where we were to start filming the next day.  I was curious about the building they chose to film in because I knew God had provided it in some way.  I still don’t know the whole story.  I enjoyed the old, Roman building and liked the history that was there.  When we got unpacked and mostly set up, we went home knowing the next day would be early.

Filming occurred Friday and Saturday.  Both days were long, which I expected, but they were good.  I knew a lot went into making a film, even a short one.  However,  I learned a lot too, during the two days.  Actors arrived and obviously needed costumes and make-up before filming would begin.  Setting up backdrops and props kept several people on this new team I was joining busy.  Each scene required several takes to catch different angles, or because they wanted it to look better.  Sometimes, another take was needed for the audio because a plane flew over, and made it hard to hear the actors.  Plus, planes are not part of the time period!  

I tried to be helpful over the course of the two days of filming, despite being so new.  I didn’t always know what I was doing.  However, it was a fun couple of days, and I really did enjoy it.  The fact that I was able to be there for the shoot, allowed me to watch and observe people.  I believe that IMM has talented people.  But what stands out to me is the kindness that the team had.  From how I was treated to how they treated the actors and the volunteers that came. 

It is true that the little things matter.  Luke 16:10 says that if you are faithful in little things you will be trusted with more.  I believe one of the most important “little” things is how we treat others.  It may not seem like much when there are deadlines to meet and projects to finish.  Yet it is what stands out to people.  It’s what stood out to me.   Matthew 10:42 talks about how even a cup of cold water is something Jesus notices when His disciples do so it’s obviously important to Him, too.  

I remember someone talking about how no one sees the hard work and the day-to-day decisions that went into their work before most people become famous. I don’t remember who it was, but the lesson stays with me.  People don't become famous overnight like everyone believes.  They think that because that’s what it can look like.  However, the reality is it happens because they made daily decisions for years before what is seen.  They practiced and were disciplined and grew.  It’s a good reminder that what we do today can have consequences for our future.   

Coming when I did and being reminded of the story of Esther and how little things matter has been an encouragement for me.  Some days, it doesn’t feel like I do much. I’m sure we all have those days. In order for Esther to be able to stand up to the king and for her people, she had to have developed a faith in God before this.  We don’t know what daily decisions she made, but we see the result of what she did. God sees the little things that we all do every day, and each one matters, especially how we treat each other.

Common Sense

Today, we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years.

No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

• Knowing when to come in out of the rain;

• Why the early bird gets the worm;

• Life isn't always fair;

• And maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student only worsened his condition.  Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or aspirin to a student but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses, and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home, and the burglar could sue you for assault.  Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot.  She spilled a little in her lap and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death,

• by his parents, Truth and Trust,

• by his wife, Discretion,

• by his daughter, Responsibility,

• and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 5 stepchildren;

• I Know My Rights

• I Want It Now

• Someone Else Is To Blame

• I'm A Victim

• Pay me for Doing Nothing

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.  If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

Who We Are

“Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented."  And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him." The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." – Matthew 8:5-9

“The servant does not get any special thanks for doing what his master commanded. It is the same with you. When you have done everything you are told to do, you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done the work we should do.’” – Luke 17:9-10

When I was a 12-year-old kid I served in an Airborne Battalion Combat Team in Italy. Okay, I was 21, but looking back, I looked and thought like a 12-year-old. The unit patch I wore with about 800 other paratroopers had the Lion of St. Mark on it, a symbol that represented the Veneto area of Italy where we were stationed, and oddly enough, but not widely publicized, it was a symbol of the Gospel of Mark. On the little book the winged lion’s paw is resting on is an open book that has one word on it, “PAX.” Although I doubt any of us made the historical or religious connection back then. We were pretty busy, and not always in the best way.

In order to be mission effective, there was a chain of command above us. This is what held us together. We knew who we were, what was asked of us, and by what authority our commanders operated. To many outside of that system, that could seem hard and demanding. As a young man, I found it to be freeing. I knew who I was, where I rested, and what to do. 

But we had special words to describe those fellows who tried to earn extra favor with those above them. They were upending the entire system by creating a political system of debts and favors in order to receive special recognition and better treatment. Even as 12-year-olds, we knew a corrupting influence when we saw it.

As believers, Jesus asks us to understand that our standing in the Kingdom does not rely on a system of debts and favors. There is an amazing freedom in this. The world still fights for equity, but we don’t have to wonder if the Father loves or accepts us based on our ability to ply and persuade Him. We are His. Now we wait upon His voice.

At IMM some of our media endeavors are so audacious that we cannot hope to push them forward under our own strength. I’ve had to learn this lesson over and over again. However, once a project is completed we should feel accomplished, but we dare not offer endeavors up to Heaven in order to gain special recognition and favor. That is not ours to do, because we are secure in His Kingdom and we now share the desire to grow it. Our proper motivators are joyful devotion to the King and a love for the task ahead of us. Lift your heads and drive-on. There is much to be done, and some of it might even be fun.

The Questions: Hannah's Answer

John 15:12-13 ESV 

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” 

What do you stand for? What would you risk your life for?

In college, I had a lot of business classes and in those classes, we were asked on multiple occasions, “What motivates you?”. Does money motivate you? Work? Success? In those classes I would always answer, “People. People motivate me”. This was an ideal answer to someone who was studying nonprofit business, but the truth is I have always been motivated by people. So, when I think about these questions, my answer is people. The people I love and the people who cannot stand for themselves. 

My family is incredibly important to me. I would defend them, support them, I would do anything for them. I love them dearly, and I would risk my life for them. I am very thankful to have a very strong bond with my family, to have had constant support and love from them. I would repay them by standing up for them in a heartbeat. My friends that I love dearly, I would stand up for them. I would support and defend them, to help them be the best they can be. 

I stand for the people who cannot stand for themselves. There are so many hurting and overlooked people in the world today. The opportunities in my life have granted me the ability to have a voice when others cannot, to stand up for them. We must care for each other; we must support each other. 

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:12-13). As Christians, we cannot forget that we are called to love one another as God has loved us, unconditionally. We must stand up for those who cannot stand for themselves, we must stand for those we love and care about. Thousands of people stand as Jesus stood and many of them do so at their own risk. We must not allow ourselves to forget this commandment, we must show great love to all of those around us. 

The Questions: Myriam's Answer

As our team has been working on the Esther Mini-Series project, we have been discussing a thought-provoking question: "What would you risk your life for?"

As a mother, my immediate response is, "My children and grandchildren," without a doubt. The unconditional love I have for my family is invaluable, and it would inspire me to put my life on the line for theirs.

However, when I challenge myself to think beyond my family, the answers don't come as readily. Perhaps it's because I have been blessed to live in a country that affords me such freedoms, including the freedom of religion. My parents, immigrants from Cuba, made the incredibly difficult decision to risk their lives for the sake of their children when they fled Cuba. Personally, I have never had to face the same level of risk for my loved ones or for openly professing my Christian faith.

Giving up one's life for Christian beliefs often involves confronting persecution and opposition. It takes immense courage to remain steadfast in the face of threats, discrimination, and violence. Throughout history, martyrs, both ancient and modern, exemplify the unwavering faith and courage required to stand firm in the face of adversity. Their extraordinary courage serves as a powerful inspiration for us to live out our faith boldly and resolutely.

Although the question of risking one's life might not often be a reality in our daily lives, it encourages us to reflect on the courage we exhibit in other areas.  Are we willing to step out of our comfort zones, take risks for the sake of others? Are we willing to speak out against falsehoods, challenge societal norms, defend those who are marginalized, and uphold the teachings of Christ even if it means facing opposition or ridicule? I must admit that I haven't always displayed such courage due to complacency. Yet, my current prayer is that, through the strength of the Holy Spirit, I will step out and stand firm in the everyday "risks" I choose to make an impact and influence others to share the Gospel.

What I do know is that life is a precious gift from God. Jesus sacrificed Himself for me, granting me a fullness of life that can be found in a deep relationship with God. Discovering my purpose, growing in character, cultivating love and relationships, finding hope in times of crisis, and having the assurance of eternal life—all of these blessings are a result of God's work in my life, and I wouldn't give them up for anything. 

So, ask me again, "What would I give my life for?" I hope you have a few minutes because it’s a bit longer of an answer.

The Questions: Wally's Answer

My name is Hannah Wall, commonly referred to as Wally by the IMM family. I am a graphic design and marketing intern working and living at IMM this summer.

When I was asked what I would stand for/risk my life for, I immediately thought of my faith and my family. If it came to it, I would without a doubt risk my life for my family. I have been blessed with an amazing earthly family that helps to strengthen my relationship with Christ every day. It would be very easy to stand between any of my family members and danger if it came to it. As with the question of what I would stand for. I stand for my faith. My faith, like my family has been with me ever since I can remember and the God, I have faith in has stood with me in my greatest fears and my most blessed triumphs. The God that created the universe deserves not only my prayers in but my public declaration of faith. If I can beseech him in secret, I can most certainly stand for him in Public.

1st Corinthians 16:13 says, “Stay alert, stand firm in the faith, show courage, be strong.” Much like I am learning about standing firm in my faith I am reminded of Paul’s words.