Some of my best memories involve drama...as in the arts. My first experiences were in church when our youth group presented Christmas plays. Besides portraying Mary, the Mother of Jesus, several times, I finally had a speaking part! Years later, I began writing plays for church and school. College years brought involvement in plays and musicals. Ministry years brought much more writing, directing and even touring. It amazes me how the stage...and all it involves...becomes a very effective tool in sharing messages that may not be caught any other way. I also find it interesting how individuals transform into their characters to allow the plot or theme to deliver that message.
Isn't life like a stage? Do we transform into identities of what we believe...think...feel...or want? Do we treat each person that enters our "stage" with total focus, effort, value and appreciation? Do we consider the importance of the message we portray in each encounter...each scene...each dialogue....each spoken word?
From another angle, I sometimes wonder if we seek our own stage spotlight? Do we live for applause, affirmation, attention and approval of others...to feel valuable? Do we long to be seen, heard, noticed and praised so we "are somebody?"
What happens when the lights go down...when no one is watching...when cameras and crowds are not around? How do we feel? What do we think? What about those moments when someone else crosses our path...or isn't even present and a crowd isn't listening? What do we say to them...or about them? Does our dressing room discussion match our public persona?
I like to think that a stage represent our lives. It can be a very effective, beautiful and creative instrument that reflects Him, revealing a beautiful message of hope, love and faith to countless others. Or perhaps another stage exists with the sole focus of promoting ourselves. One stage shares Him. Another stage centers around self. The difference is made in our choices...our actions...our attitudes and our words....publicly, privately, prayerfully.
Shouldn't we be the same whether the lights are on or off ? Shouldn't our words be the same whether a crowd listens or no one is around? Does our worth matter more about who sees us...or Who they see living in us? Should our identity be found in crowds...or Christ?
I pray that the moments we have remaining on this stage...whether in dark or light, alone or surrounded by others, sound on or off...do not dismiss our greatest purpose...to honor, serve and praise Him. After all, He is our Audience of One. May He be center stage...forever! <3~thl
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