Fast Day 17
Mountain of Influence: Arts and Entertainment
Day 2 – Repent
John 6:9,11
“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.'
Since Dallas Jenkins was in high school he wanted to direct movies. As an adult, he got his big break directing the Christian-drama, The Resurrection of Gavin Stone (2017). By all accounts the movie should have launched Dallas into a dazzling career in Hollywood. However, when the movie released, it flopped, and Dallas’ future became very uncertain.
As Dallas and his wife Amanda wondered what happened, they also prayed. God led them to the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 and highlighted the boy with five small loaves and two fish. The boy had little, but he was faithful and offered all he had. That was enough. Jesus did the miracle. God told Dallas, “Remember, your job is not to feed the 5,000. It is only to provide the loaves and the fish.”
As creatives, artists, designers, musicians, performers, and athletes, it’s easy to get caught up in the numbers to determine success. How much money will I make? How many people will like this? How long will this last? What jobs will this lead to?
Dallas realized God measures success differently. He measures it by faithfulness. Let down by his box-office disappointment, but undeterred, Dallas has stayed faithful to his craft. Now he does not look at the numbers to determine his success, he simply asks, “Am I faithful with what God has put in my hands? Have I delivered my best?”
What about you, how are you measuring success? How are you handling failure? Let’s examine our motives. By the world’s standards, Jesus failed; he was crucified. But God found Him faithful, and that was enough.
Your Turn
Prayer:
Father forgive us for chasing the world’s standards of success. Remind us, our success or failure does not define us. We are your sons and daughters no matter what. You simply say, “Be faithful,” and that’s enough.
Fast Thoughts:
Remember, your job is not to feed the 5,000. It is only to provide the loaves and the fish.
Song: