I am officially back in La La Land.

Two years ago I left Los Angeles after the most difficult and heartbreaking time of my life, headed to New York City to start anew, thinking I would never again return to this city.

But here I am.

The picture above is my view from my new apartment looking out over the glistening lights Hollywood. If you're still for a moment, you can almost feel the desperation and longing pulsing throughout the smog filled sky coming from each soul who has come here looking for more. The same desire that brought me here all those ago.

And the truth is I came back to this city with a longing on my heart, but it's different than the one that first brought me here.

When I was a young man with stars in my eyes, I made my way to Hollywood with dreams of fame and fortune. But now there's a different dream, a more realistic one-- to change the world.

For as long as I can remember I have loved stories. I love them so much I have dedicated my life to them. I believe stories are powerful and have the power to touch hearts, inspire minds, and ultimately change the world. Jesus changed the entire world through walking through a dusty town telling stories, God gave us his word in the form of story. Which leads me to believe that there's something woven into our very humanity to respond and discover truth through... Stories.

In this modern age the way we tell, pass on, and engage with stories is in large part through TV and film. So in following the dream God put on my heart to do what I love and touch the world I knew I must be apart of the place that is telling today's stories. The one creating, producing, and ultimately bringing to life the stories that have the power to shape this world for the better.

So here I am, unsure of what's next but confident that in following the dream and passions God put on my heart, he will us MY story to make this world a more beautiful place-- should I only trust God and the dreams he's placed on my heart.

So, here I am back in a city I never thought I'd be back in, not only chasing a dream to be apart of the stories (films, TV, etc...) but to live a story, one that if only a small way can help others discover the beautiful story they were meant to live through experiencing stories that show that truth in a beautiful way.

Well, that's it, I've used the word "story" far too much for any one post. But I'll use it just a couple more times as I leave you with this.

God, our creator has created you for a story, a beautiful and epic one that can change the world. That might be in Hollywood or that might be in nowhere town USA, but wherever it is. Listen to the dreams and passions God has placed on your heart.

Go tell a beautiful story and change the world.

-Nathan