It has been a crazy week here in L.A.! My mind is over stimulated with class, writing, and having actual places to go and see! It is honestly weird to have something to do in the evenings, and have multiple places to go for the weekend. In the mist of all the "city life," I'm finding myself dreaming in new ways. I am beyond fascinated by this industry. Oh yes...the good, the bad, and the really really really ugly. I feel like Curious George as I explore the city, possible internships, and ideas for characters. If I'm honest, I really don't feel like I am in school at all. This is a good thing! Yes, it is only the first week, and yes, I have many more to pursue through. BUT, never in my whole life have I felt such joy, peace, and purpose. There's still a possibility that I may not find a career here, but thankfully this is not my job. My job is to trust and obey.
The Sunday before I left for L.A., the song "Trust and Obey" was sung by the congregation and I found myself choked to tears.
Trust and Obey, for there's no other way,
To be happy in Jesus,
If you trust and obey.
Simple concept, but BIG action.
My dream used to be to create "Christian Films," but now I'm hearing testimonies of people who took on the literal form of salt, and preserved the good. Yes, these people worked on very controversial films, and many of them not even close to the spectrum of "Christian." The gospel was not preached, and in no way did the film itself portray the love of Christ. Hmmm...intrigue. Why be involved in something like this? Why care? Why not build our own subculture to gather together in the black and white zone and live happily ever after? Well ask yourself this question now...did Jesus live in the black and white zone? Did he interact with those who were, dare I say, in the grey area? Welcome to Hollywood friends! If Hollywood had a color, like school colors, it would be grey. Grey, grey, grey, grey, and grey. The thing is, GOD IS MOVING!! My encouragement to you is to quit judging the followers of Christ here in Hollywood to black and white standards, because there are few! The more I hear, listen, and talk with people here, the more I get it. God wants to guide you, not the opinions and judgements of other people.
Tonight, one of the actors from Fantastic 4, Doug Jones, gave his testimony as a Christian actor. In another film, his character was supposed to be the crazy Christian who wanted to kill everyone. Yea, he kinda plays creepy roles, anyways...he refused the role because of his faith, BUT along with that the director was sent an e-mail stating why. Jones said he was bored with the idea because it had happened before, and because he did not want to portray his faith in such a negative way. Guess what...THEY CHANGED THE SCRIPT! He was salt in that situation and preserved a little good. These are the little things that are happening in Hollywood. God has given us the gift of creativity, and there are times when his people are needed to suggest a more creative option to preserve the "good" content.
Here's the thing, the grey area is a scary place to be under, therefore; we sometimes prefer to just ignore it. If I'm honest, it is so much easier to just ignore the tough issues. We don't like to struggle, but I'm starting to see that even Christ himself had to suffer greatly to command such a large impact. Please continue to pray for the body of Christ in Hollywood. Pray for God to guide the men and women in this industry as they continue to serve in multiple ways.
Trust and Obey Today!
-Alisha
Friday, August 27, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
L.A. Trip Reflection 101
As I said goodbye to my friends and family, boarded the plane, and watched Columbus, OH disappear in the sky...it became real. I am going to L.A. Here was the thought thereafter, "WHAT THE HECK AM I DOING???" I mean, I've been bargaining with God since I was 14 and realized that this day would come, but seriously, now? Then I thought, "Am I ready? What if this isn't 'God's will'? What if I don't succeed? What if I actually fail? What if...What if...What if?"
You see, I had to make this trip by myself. I had to let go, let God, and trust him completely. I love my family, and if you know me, I love love love my little niece, Evelyn Renee Kenney. She has brought so much joy and perspective in my life, which actually lead to some form of healing. She was a miracle, all babies are, and for some reason her life touched me from the first time I held her in my arms. People will tease and say, "Alisha, you do realize that she is NOT your child." And I say, "Yea, but it never hurt anyone to be loved so much!"
A year ago, I remember driving back to IWU from Cleveland after Evelyn was born. Tears flooding my face, and saying goodbye once again to my family and this precious new life. Why am I saying this? Simply because that drive home is what drove me to bigger goodbyes in coming to my current city, L.A., California. While I was driving I examined the current culture. What would Evelyn have to see, face, and struggle with when she was my age? Cause let's all be honest, it just seems to be getting worse. People say we are 10ish years behind Europe, and "God" is almost non-existent in many of their lives. This reality scared me. In 10 years? No God in today's mainstream culture? Everything and anything goes is soon going to be the "norm" and the "standard?" What would Hollywood look like....
Like I said, since I was 14 I felt "called" or rather a strong passion and conviction towards Hollywood. The people, the culture, the city, but being in 8th grade at a NYC mission trip...I had no idea what that call really meant. I felt the same conviction when Evelyn was born, and throughout the past 6 years I randomly will feel so passionate towards Hollywood. Psh...I could care LESS about being famous, wearing the right clothes, getting the cutie dog, or even saying my "Thanks to God" speech at the Oscars. Weird, I know. I think it's because I realized there's something bigger than that, and I could be involved in an eternal impact. Simply put, I love people. For some reason God has placed a deep conviction to be here, in L.A., at the heart of "miracle mile" where all the world is influenced by it's vibes.
It's a journey, and one that I am really excited about sharing with you along the way. I do ask that you do pray! Pray for Hollywood, the celebrities, the behind the scenes workers, and this culture. In class today they asked if anyone felt like they had a "boring" testimony. The one where you've had an amazing family, friends, and life so far. Sure, you've had some bumps, but nothing like other people who share! I raised my hand. "Good," they said, welcome to the minority. People here will be fascinated by your "perfect" story. I'm not saying that any testimony is better than any other, but the fact that even me, who has had amazing roots, can still relate is pretty exciting! This is a mission field. Yes, the starbucks, the studios, the offices, the streets, and even (as I found) the airport. This truly is the city of "lost souls" and already I see so many people lost and lonely.
I am really excited to learn, grow, develop, and trust as God guides me through these next 16 weeks. Who knows where I'll be. I'm not sure who said it, but someone did in a film we watched today and I love this concept! "I soon realized that my dream isn't to be a 'star,' but to be a 'light' for Jesus Christ."
Pray, love, and dream today!
God Bless,
Alisha Stevens
You see, I had to make this trip by myself. I had to let go, let God, and trust him completely. I love my family, and if you know me, I love love love my little niece, Evelyn Renee Kenney. She has brought so much joy and perspective in my life, which actually lead to some form of healing. She was a miracle, all babies are, and for some reason her life touched me from the first time I held her in my arms. People will tease and say, "Alisha, you do realize that she is NOT your child." And I say, "Yea, but it never hurt anyone to be loved so much!"
A year ago, I remember driving back to IWU from Cleveland after Evelyn was born. Tears flooding my face, and saying goodbye once again to my family and this precious new life. Why am I saying this? Simply because that drive home is what drove me to bigger goodbyes in coming to my current city, L.A., California. While I was driving I examined the current culture. What would Evelyn have to see, face, and struggle with when she was my age? Cause let's all be honest, it just seems to be getting worse. People say we are 10ish years behind Europe, and "God" is almost non-existent in many of their lives. This reality scared me. In 10 years? No God in today's mainstream culture? Everything and anything goes is soon going to be the "norm" and the "standard?" What would Hollywood look like....
Like I said, since I was 14 I felt "called" or rather a strong passion and conviction towards Hollywood. The people, the culture, the city, but being in 8th grade at a NYC mission trip...I had no idea what that call really meant. I felt the same conviction when Evelyn was born, and throughout the past 6 years I randomly will feel so passionate towards Hollywood. Psh...I could care LESS about being famous, wearing the right clothes, getting the cutie dog, or even saying my "Thanks to God" speech at the Oscars. Weird, I know. I think it's because I realized there's something bigger than that, and I could be involved in an eternal impact. Simply put, I love people. For some reason God has placed a deep conviction to be here, in L.A., at the heart of "miracle mile" where all the world is influenced by it's vibes.
It's a journey, and one that I am really excited about sharing with you along the way. I do ask that you do pray! Pray for Hollywood, the celebrities, the behind the scenes workers, and this culture. In class today they asked if anyone felt like they had a "boring" testimony. The one where you've had an amazing family, friends, and life so far. Sure, you've had some bumps, but nothing like other people who share! I raised my hand. "Good," they said, welcome to the minority. People here will be fascinated by your "perfect" story. I'm not saying that any testimony is better than any other, but the fact that even me, who has had amazing roots, can still relate is pretty exciting! This is a mission field. Yes, the starbucks, the studios, the offices, the streets, and even (as I found) the airport. This truly is the city of "lost souls" and already I see so many people lost and lonely.
I am really excited to learn, grow, develop, and trust as God guides me through these next 16 weeks. Who knows where I'll be. I'm not sure who said it, but someone did in a film we watched today and I love this concept! "I soon realized that my dream isn't to be a 'star,' but to be a 'light' for Jesus Christ."
Pray, love, and dream today!
God Bless,
Alisha Stevens
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