I am an independent filmmaker who recently had, what I regarded in my natural man as a set-back. I made a move that seemed like a natural career advancing move. I assumed it was GOD blessing me, or at least convinced myself it was but in truth it was me working in the natural to advance my film career. In the process of this endeavor, I had all sorts of issues that resulted in a very daunting and embarrassing experience. I tussled with the “WHY GOD WHYYYYY?” and “WHAT DOES IT ALL MEANNNN?” questions but in that, I asked God to make whatever it is He wanted me to learn “very clear” so that I, hopefully will not have to experience that again.

Well, here is what I learned as it relates to this great field of media, arts & entertainment. God wants to move His people into this arena but only after they have “learned” to listen to Him and seek Him and trust Him. It may sound elementary to the average Christian but trust me, it’s much hard to fully apply. I think it’s about protecting us from a level of spiritual warfare that seems to descend upon those who manage to accomplish an anointed work that reaches the world (and not to negate Christian work, but I’m speaking about works that declare God’s heart to people who aren’t already in the pews on Sunday.

Mel’s Mishaps

I think about Mel Gibson’s work with “The Passion of the Christ.” There’s no way in Hades that there wasn’t an anointing on him to create that film. I’ve seen the effects of that film first hand. In fact, I myself had to give comfort to a man my age who sat in the theater weeping after watching the movie and upon my asking him “Hey brotha, you alright?” he began to pour out his soul about how he wasn’t “living right.” With that said, I’m firmly persuaded that the Mel Gibson we are seeing today is largely the result of a man plagued by a level of spiritual warfare aimed at tearing down the man who made the work, therefore tearing down the work, therfore tearing down the results of the work, and therefore tearing down Christ’s reputation in the process. For the world does not perceive the transcendent power behind the creator of “The Passion” without revelation. And perceiving only the natural man (Mel Gibson), will naturally point to his flaws as sufficient reason to resist the message.

Kanye’s Crime?

Another example is Kanye West. West (a Christian) didn’t catapult to stardom until he made the song “JESUS WALKS”, the hook of the song being “JESUS WALKS – God show me the way, cause the devil tryin’ to bring me down.” There is strong language in the song (see video below). I believe in my core that song was Anointed. People have opposing views on the issue, but for a moment in history, the worldly stigma, used to discourage people from coming to Christ, held no power in pop culture. HE WON A GRAMMY FOR A RAP SONG CALLED JESUS WALKS!

In recent years Kanye has experienced a barrage of public embarrassments. His anthem however, used by Churches around the country to reach out to lost youth is overshadowed by Kanye, the carnal man one, who I truly believe is also under spiritual attack. So, friends, I think GOD has put up these examples to warn us. We as creatives need to remain “prayed up.” We need to continually take time out alone to listen to God (something I was neglecting.) We need to fast and pray about the decisions we make, and for those who will produce grand works like “The Passion.” We need to understand that A Christian creating a work that becomes mainstream is like running for President- You WILL MOST CERTAINLY become a target. So thank God for these times of struggle, and feeling “hidden” from the world stage because gold is refined by fire, and when the time is right we will be able to stand without being distracted by the shine.

Lawrence L.A.W. Watford is a independent film director living in New York City. Connect @ www.facebook.com/lawvillesolutions or check out the trailer for his latest short “The Mourning After” @ www.lawvillesolutions.com