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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
Front and Center
June 8, 2006
Front and center: I couldn’t believe where I was seated. Last Tuesday
night I was practically sitting on the stage for the one of the biggest plays
on Broadway. I was so close that when Max Bialystock spit out his lines, I
could have pulled out a bar of soap and taken a shower. I had a seat in the
third row in the center of theater.
When Carmen Ghia came down the aisle near the end of the show, I
actually felt like I was part of the production. For a moment I was a
member of the cast watching “Springtime for Hitler” as part of the show
and not part of the audience watching a play about a play. It was an
extraordinary experience and I got to enjoy it because I was there at the
right place at the right time with the right person.
My oldest daughter is taking a course in Manhattan this summer. She
suggested that we take in a Broadway show. I warned her that I didn’t
want to spend a lot of money and she assured me that she could get
discount tickets. Now I have to tell you the truth. Our original seats were
in the third row all right, but we received a good discount because we
were so far to the left that our view of the stage was obstructed. That was
fine for me. But from the time the curtain went up, Becky began checking
out the empty seats around us. She knew we could do better and her
astute observations led us to the upgrade for the second half.
Five minutes into Act II and I was glad we moved. I was stunned when
the thought hit me that I almost passed up these seats. I didn’t know if the
risk of embarrassment for taking someone else’s seat was worth it. I
almost passed on them because I was already settled in and getting up
meant expending a lot of energy. Finally, there was a sense that we simply
didn’t belong there. But as the show went on I began wondering if those
seats had been meant for us. Crazy thought, huh?
As I was driving home I was struck by the fact that a lot of us make the
same type of excuses for not embracing the front row seat God has given
us in life. Too many of us are content to watch from the sidelines with an
obstructed view. We don’t feel worthy or have a sense that we belong in
the center of things. So we settle for less and miss out on God’s blessings.
Well, here is the good news! Jesus wants us to have front row seats for
what He is doing. He came to invite us to take our place in the middle of
things. He wants us to have a front row seat so we can witness his love.
Why? So we can turn around and share the good news of God’s grace,
forgiveness and gift of new life with our friends. You see the audience
participation is at the heart of God's program. Those who find the greatest
joy in life are those who decide to move up front and center.
So if you look around and see an empty seat a little closer to the action,
then get up and take it. God’s been saving it just for you.
God bless. I’ll see you down front! Cal
June 8, 2006
Front and center: I couldn’t believe where I was seated. Last Tuesday
night I was practically sitting on the stage for the one of the biggest plays
on Broadway. I was so close that when Max Bialystock spit out his lines, I
could have pulled out a bar of soap and taken a shower. I had a seat in the
third row in the center of theater.
When Carmen Ghia came down the aisle near the end of the show, I
actually felt like I was part of the production. For a moment I was a
member of the cast watching “Springtime for Hitler” as part of the show
and not part of the audience watching a play about a play. It was an
extraordinary experience and I got to enjoy it because I was there at the
right place at the right time with the right person.
My oldest daughter is taking a course in Manhattan this summer. She
suggested that we take in a Broadway show. I warned her that I didn’t
want to spend a lot of money and she assured me that she could get
discount tickets. Now I have to tell you the truth. Our original seats were
in the third row all right, but we received a good discount because we
were so far to the left that our view of the stage was obstructed. That was
fine for me. But from the time the curtain went up, Becky began checking
out the empty seats around us. She knew we could do better and her
astute observations led us to the upgrade for the second half.
Five minutes into Act II and I was glad we moved. I was stunned when
the thought hit me that I almost passed up these seats. I didn’t know if the
risk of embarrassment for taking someone else’s seat was worth it. I
almost passed on them because I was already settled in and getting up
meant expending a lot of energy. Finally, there was a sense that we simply
didn’t belong there. But as the show went on I began wondering if those
seats had been meant for us. Crazy thought, huh?
As I was driving home I was struck by the fact that a lot of us make the
same type of excuses for not embracing the front row seat God has given
us in life. Too many of us are content to watch from the sidelines with an
obstructed view. We don’t feel worthy or have a sense that we belong in
the center of things. So we settle for less and miss out on God’s blessings.
Well, here is the good news! Jesus wants us to have front row seats for
what He is doing. He came to invite us to take our place in the middle of
things. He wants us to have a front row seat so we can witness his love.
Why? So we can turn around and share the good news of God’s grace,
forgiveness and gift of new life with our friends. You see the audience
participation is at the heart of God's program. Those who find the greatest
joy in life are those who decide to move up front and center.
So if you look around and see an empty seat a little closer to the action,
then get up and take it. God’s been saving it just for you.
God bless. I’ll see you down front! Cal
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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