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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"Giving Life To God's Story"
May 27, 2009
With a big smile on her face, my friend Shawn said, "I was both excited
and nervous at the same time. It was awesome." She went on to tell me of
her experience on stage at the Spirit of Broadway Theater a few weeks ago.
The "awesome experience" took place on opening night as the playwright
and lyricist were on hand to take in the very first live performance of the
musical. Shawn played Laura in the theater's production of Buddy's Tavern.
After the show the writers questioned the actors about their experience in
playing the roles. They asked for feedback on whether it felt true to life.
These comments would help them as they refined the characters and made
changes to the script.
Shawn was excited about the prospect of shaping an original work that
might one day be a hit show on Broadway. Her face lit up as she said,
"Imagine that!" On Saturday night I went to the show. The actors and
actresses were enjoying themselves. They were living their roles and not
just reciting the lines. They did bring the story to life.
I went home that night and started thinking about our roles as people of
faith. Sometimes I think we know all the words but don't really do a good
job of bringing them to life with the way we live. The truth is I often
bumble my lines and say things I don't mean to say. I ad lib and then don't
know how to get back on the right page. From time to time I forget my
lines and end up in awkward silence.
I think that is why a lot of us decide early on that we are not going to go
out in public with this role. We keep our faith to ourselves. We won't talk
about it with our friends and neighbors. As a result, we won't have to
worry about messing up.
Imagine if Shawn, Brett and the cast of Buddy's Tavern did that. Pretend
for a moment that a fear of flubbing a few lines kept them from producing
this thought provoking play. The end result would be that the voice of the
writers would never be heard. That would be a real loss.
So it is with us when we fail to give life to the story that God has written in
our hearts. God wants us to take to the stage of life and share his message
with a hurting world. It is a story that speaks of hurt and brokenness, love
and reconciliation. It is a story of hope and healing, renewal and blessing.
You and I are cast in starring roles.
The good news is that the author is in the audience and he is with us every
step of the way. He is there to encourage us and engage us as we bring his
story to life. So don't just stand there in the wings. Step out and embrace
the role that God wrote just for you.
God Bless! See you in Church. Cal
May 27, 2009
With a big smile on her face, my friend Shawn said, "I was both excited
and nervous at the same time. It was awesome." She went on to tell me of
her experience on stage at the Spirit of Broadway Theater a few weeks ago.
The "awesome experience" took place on opening night as the playwright
and lyricist were on hand to take in the very first live performance of the
musical. Shawn played Laura in the theater's production of Buddy's Tavern.
After the show the writers questioned the actors about their experience in
playing the roles. They asked for feedback on whether it felt true to life.
These comments would help them as they refined the characters and made
changes to the script.
Shawn was excited about the prospect of shaping an original work that
might one day be a hit show on Broadway. Her face lit up as she said,
"Imagine that!" On Saturday night I went to the show. The actors and
actresses were enjoying themselves. They were living their roles and not
just reciting the lines. They did bring the story to life.
I went home that night and started thinking about our roles as people of
faith. Sometimes I think we know all the words but don't really do a good
job of bringing them to life with the way we live. The truth is I often
bumble my lines and say things I don't mean to say. I ad lib and then don't
know how to get back on the right page. From time to time I forget my
lines and end up in awkward silence.
I think that is why a lot of us decide early on that we are not going to go
out in public with this role. We keep our faith to ourselves. We won't talk
about it with our friends and neighbors. As a result, we won't have to
worry about messing up.
Imagine if Shawn, Brett and the cast of Buddy's Tavern did that. Pretend
for a moment that a fear of flubbing a few lines kept them from producing
this thought provoking play. The end result would be that the voice of the
writers would never be heard. That would be a real loss.
So it is with us when we fail to give life to the story that God has written in
our hearts. God wants us to take to the stage of life and share his message
with a hurting world. It is a story that speaks of hurt and brokenness, love
and reconciliation. It is a story of hope and healing, renewal and blessing.
You and I are cast in starring roles.
The good news is that the author is in the audience and he is with us every
step of the way. He is there to encourage us and engage us as we bring his
story to life. So don't just stand there in the wings. Step out and embrace
the role that God wrote just for you.
God Bless! See you in Church. 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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