Giving: A Seed
Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow…
Mark 4:3 (NKJV)
Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers…
Genesis 37: 5 (NKJV)
God gave teenage Joseph two vivid dreams. Consider these dreams as “seeds” that would grow.
But like early camera images that required processing in deep darkness, these dreams took 16 years to “develop”.
Certainly NOT coincidentally, He also gave Pharaoh two vivid dreams, and He called Joseph to develop them. It took 14 MORE for these to come true.
Let’s review the story of Shine’s founding.
It began as the dream of my mother, Millie Lewis, in the 1930s. The Great Depression seeded her young dream: Evangelism! Sharing the best of news! But that sweet dream didn't seem to happen. Instead, war happened, namely World War ll.
Her first husband died, and her mom advised, “Get away. Visit your friends in New York,” where a photographer “discovered” her. The young widow became a covergirl.*
In this strange new role, she didn’t model Christ. She modeled clothes. Her (forgotten) dream of evangelism became a show of materialism– or so it seemed to all of her church friends. But their sight was short.
A holy seed was sown that would become… Shine! Actors, models, and talent for Christ! It took 60+ years to develop. But when it sprouted, it grew big and fast. I was born again at age 51. My daughters (and Shine) were in their 20s.
SIDEBAR: The devil could not steal my mother’s dream. What the father of lies meant for evil, 'God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives' (Genesis 50:20).
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
Each time you step on stage… you sow a seed. Maybe your fans don’t know you’re a Christian. Maybe your talents drew their attention. But your “off-stage” life WILL be discovered. In some, the Seed of Life you sowed WILL grow!
Even if a seed falls by the wayside, it can be eaten by a passerby... with a softened, seeking and eager heart.
Bottom line: Don’t give up on the dreams of your childhood. As seeds need to grow, the dreams from God take time to develop!
Giving: A Seed (Part 2)
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.
* She met my dad, her 2nd husband, Jack Lewis (a returning WWll fighter pilot, who became a stunt pilot)… in a celebratory parade in New York City. My mom was the model hired to stand beside my father on a float. That’s how they met. As God would have it, this dramatic and unlikely meeting was recorded in a picture that I still have!