Salvatore DiSalvatore is not a new character in a Martin Scorsese film.
He is my brother.
He is my best friend.
Sal has always pushed me and inspired me, because his faith is uncommon; different.
When many would give up on their dreams because life got too busy, or the journey was too long, or quite frankly fear got in the way of faith; Sal would never settle.
It's hard to wait, to be still.
It's hard to be Sal.
His journey began when he chose to attend Regent University to pursue a Masters in Communications and Film.
Sal loves to tell stories thru media, and his stories make great sermons.
There were some people who discouraged him from leaving the comforts of Philly to go down south to Virginia and chase the dream.
I never understand why people encourage others to be more practical,
sometimes I think practical is another way of saying settle.
Sal would continue to navigate that tension during his years in the south,
especially his final semester. The school put on a short film festival at the local theater and Sal's movie dealt with the cycle of sin in a very artistic and poweful way.
It was different, but apparently Pat Robertson doesn't like different
It got pulled from the festival.
Sal returned to Philly crushed, but still had hope.
When his friend's accepted other jobs, filming commercials or editing, Sal wouldn't comprise what God called him to do. He was focused on his goal of making a difference in Christian media.
I remember one time when he had an opportunity to go to a film festival on the West Coast (fully paid) he declined.
Personally, I thought he was crazy for not going, but he said he prayed about it,
and felt that God didn't want him to go.
Sometimes faith doesn't make sense.
Sometimes faith is weird.
I would see that puzzled look again throughout the next couple of years
as it transfered from my face to others.
When people would ask about my brother and what he is up to, I would tell them about the latest script he was working on doing or the latest project he was doing pro bono for a friend. I would see this subtle look in response.
A subtle look that turns to a smile.
A look that says be practical... settle.
I think Sal never gave up, because my parents never had that look.
They always believed in him. Always supported him.
My parents have always been in his corner (mine too).
People need someone in their corner.
One night Sal called me and we were talking about what's next.
He was frustrated.
This wasn't our first conversation like this, I found my self wanting to say, be practical, think of the short term instead of the long term.
Settle was on the tip of my tongue.
But this time, the conversation was different.
I listened more and talked less.
Sal seemed to have renewed energy as he told me about a position he just applied for.
LifeChurch.tv had a position open and thought he would send his resume. He didn't know about the church and asked if I heard about it.
I laughed. As a church planter, everyone knows about LifeChurch.tv and Craig Groeschel.
I just finished reading his book "It" too.
We prayed.
He didn't get the position.
He did get a phone call.
From there he began writing some scripts for their kids ministry not really expecting anything.
They loved his stuff, and trust me its good.
Sal has always had good stuff.
And they saw it too.
I couldn't believe it when we Sal and I had another conversation and he told me that they hired him full time to be a writer and work on their creative team.
I cried.
It had nothing to do with my brother getting a position at a prominent church.
It has everything to do with knowing that there is someone out there that believes in him.
That God answers prayers.
That God gives us dreams for a reason.
If we are willing to be alittle different,
to never settle
to be like Sal.
