The above picture is very profound. I think many Indie filmmakers feel like this at some point during the film-funding process – empty and alone!
But, I cannot help but to think of Peter. In Luke 5:1-7 the Bible states:
“One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.”
Because I am the owner of the franchise, the author of the book series and the screenplay writer, there is tremendous pressure to produce the funds. Believe me, if you have read any of my blogs, newsletters etc., you know I am not lacking in promoting the story. One of the translations states that they “toiled” all night. Toiled is defined as “work extremely hard, move with difficulty, labor arduously, weariness and pain.” These men were experienced in their craft. They knew where the fish normally were. But not one of them were caught. This was their livihood. Jesus shows up and gets in their boat and tells them to launch out into the deep. This was after He taught the surrounding crowd the Word. A few key words, (paraphrasing – Jesus got into Peter’s boat; launch out (a different translation), because You say so, I will. Launch is defined as – “to set in motion; introduce (a new product or publication) to the public for the first time.” In Peter’s case, it meant to take the boat back out into the water, away from the shore. Either way, action is involved.
It is difficult to trust launching out again, when nothing has happened from all the other times we launched out and caught nothing. But see, Peter knew who Jesus was and He did exactly what He told him to do. And because of his obedience, they caught so many fish their nets began to break, and their boats began to sink! They had to call for other boats to help them. I know who Jesus is too. I believe that He is able to do for Summer Ray exactly what He did for Peter. He can provide more than enough funding to get this project made, and everything that goes along with it. Peter saw at first what some of us see, and empty sea – and an empty boat. Even though, we put the effort into doing what needs to be done. We have not sat on the shores hoping for the fish to jump in our boats from where we sit. No! We have gone out, planted the seeds, broke the ground, fished the open waters and have work endless hours toiling all night and have caught nothing.
Lord Jesus, I welcome you onto the boat of this project. I am not sure if I have ever done that before. I have been so busy working for You, that perhaps I forgot to ask You on board. If so, I am terribly sorry! I know You care about this project, or You would never have given it to me in the first place. I believe that all things are possible with You! I may have been like Peter, coming off of a long night of hard work and have nothing to show for it, but this is me, once again, launching out into the deep – with You on board! I thank You, for the miraculous that You are bringing on our behalf, for the good of the people who come to see our series, and read my books. We want to be fishers of men, like Peter, bringing the lost to You! Even those found who need Your touch. We pray to make a difference in people’s lives. But this can only come from You and Your position in our project. Whatever You tell me to do, I will do it! You can turn water into wine. You can walk on water. You can summon fish to be caught. You can make blind eyes to see. This is an “US” project, not just a Juliana one. We are in this together. We, along with those of whom YOU send, to help me. I thank You, for each and every one. I thank You for the miraculous that we will start to see, now that You are on board our project! In Your Holy, Name…I pray! AMEN!
DO NOT GIVE UP! Try again!!!
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THE MEMOIRS OF SUMMER RAY 