Faith In The Waiting
December 3, 2025
Those of you who’ve been following the Arcade Orchestra journey know that we submitted everything for final approval 2 weeks ago, to secure our dream venue in Las Vegas. We’ve done everything we can possibly do, so now we wait. And waiting is not in my skill set. I’m not a patient person, especially when I know what I want and I’ve got a solid plan to get there. You ever hear the joke about how to make God laugh? Tell him your plans!
January will mark 3 years that I stepped away from a 3-decade career to start pursuing Arcade Orchestra. It took increasing restlessness and frustration to get me to take such a leap, but I knew there was something else I was supposed to do with the time God gives me here: something where I could use all the gifts I was given, to their full potential. Arcade Orchestra checks all those boxes, and I believe it’s much more than just an entertainment venture.
I knew there would be some challenges. This is an audacious dream which means huge risks, no guarantees, and no “Plan B.” But I also believed it’s a no-brainer idea, and the world is literally begging for it. How hard could it be to find people to help bring it to fruition? Surely it would happen sooner than later. And yes, I figured it would probably stretch me a bit along the way. Turns out these are the understatements of a lifetime.
I’ve learned that I like certainty and control. I’ve also learned those are illusions. Life can change on a dime; plans can fail through. Health can fail. Sometimes things don’t work out the way we’d like, and even if they do, the timetable can be a long, winding road. Then add overthinking, second guessing, and financial strain to the mix, and you have fertile ground for God to do his best (and most painful) work. That’s where I’ve lived for most of these 3 years.
On social media, people see the fun & creative moments, the excitement of pursuing a big dream. They don’t see all the tough days, weeks, months and years of struggle and uncertainty. I’ve never wanted to give up, but there have been MANY times of wondering if I got the right “download” - was this really meant for me, or for someone else? But then, that’s the whole point here: this dream is so big, so audacious, that it could ONLY happen if God was behind it, directing my steps… and putting up with me along the way.
This isn’t just my personal dream project. I believe Arcade Orchestra could impact the world in lots of ways, and it will open doors to do a lot of good. The world needs that. Part of my personal vision is that it will allow me to use some of the world’s most cherished songs to point people to Jesus, whether directly or indirectly. The potential for that is enormous.
So here we are, waiting for that final green light. We could get that call any moment; then all we need is investors to jump in, and it’s pedal-to-the-metal until opening night. We’ve come a long way in 3 years, and I’m told it’s almost unheard of for an unknown group like us to be where we are right now. It sure feels like God has brought us to this moment, and there’s no reason to think it will fall apart now.
Still, as an overthinker who has seen his share of disappointment, there are those nagging thoughts that make the waiting so hard: What if some executive vetoes the project at the last minute? What if this doesn’t work out SOON? How could we possibly keep going?
We’ve risked everything to get to this point. I’ve sold all the equipment I don’t absolutely need. We pulled a huge chunk of home equity to allow me to keep working on this, and we’ve been living month-to-month for a long time now. We've incurred debt that makes me nauseous, while our household to-do list just keeps growing “until we have money” - that phrase has become a punch line for us.
I’ve used the phrase “leap of faith” from the beginning of this whole journey, and that’s no exaggeration. I believe God called us to something that requires levels of faith He’s had to build and refine in me along the way, because I don’t have it on my own. Much like when Jesus called Peter to jump out of the boat and ONTO the water - not into it.
It’s hard to not feel stressed while waiting and watching the water rise and the waves crash around us. We’ve kept pushing because we believe God has called us to this, and we’ve had lots of encouraging signs along the way. Still, it’s hard for me to push the “what if’s” out of my mind.
As Anita and I were talking about this last night, we shared some scriptures we both read yesterday. They couldn’t be more timely:
“You might say to yourself, ‘My power and my strong hands have made me successful.’ But remember the Lord your God. HE gives you the ability to produce success. That shows he stands by the terms of the covenant he made with you. He promised it to your people of long ago, and he’s still faithful to his covenant today.
Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way. He guided you in the desert for these 40 years. He wanted to take your pride away. He wanted to test you to know what was in your hearts. He wanted to see whether you would obey his commands. He let you go hungry. Then he gave you manna to eat... He tested you to teach you that man doesn’t live only on bread. He also lives on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Your clothes didn’t wear out during these 40 years. Your feet didn’t swell. Here is what I want you to know in your hearts: the Lord your God guides you, just as parents guide their children.” (from Deut. 8)
“YAHWEH, your God, says ‘Do I allow you to conceive and not to give birth? Do I shut the womb when I’m the one who delivers?’” (Isaiah 66:9)
Whew. It really does feel like God has put us through a season of testing; this has been anything BUT easy. Anita also said “God might be about to entrust something to us that could ruin people if they don’t handle it right.” Indeed, these have been my prayers from the beginning:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)
May this dream be fulfilled “not because we deserve it, but because he is so merciful.” (Daniel 9:18)
So, there you have it. Just wanted to share a personal piece of this journey with you, and say for the record that when Arcade Orchestra does take off, it will only be because God did it. All of it.
In the meantime, please keep praying for us: for wisdom, patience, provision, and peace - no matter what happens next.
Blessings for a wonderful Christmas season!
Jim