The Play is the Thing

The play is the thing. I don't know how many times I heard my theater director say that. Our focus, everything we do should be about the play because the play is the thing. When we're on stage and become self-conscience, we are no longer about the play. We are about ourselves. Everything needs to work toward the telling of the story of the play. The textures and cuts of the fabric are only important when they point toward the play. The mood set by the lighting should contribute to the telling of the story. The set should not distract from the story, but help tell the story because

the play is the thing

This all came back to me a few months ago. I was preparing to speak in front of a large group, of women. As I stood in front of the mirror that morning, I became increasingly insecure. I couldn't figure out why I felt that way. The day before I was speaking in front of these women. Why was I struggling today? It reminded me of a story Staci Eldridge told in her book Captivating. She and her husband, John, were on their way to an event. Staci found herself pulling down the visor, checking her lipstick and the applying more. She did this over and over. "What was I doing?" she asked herself. "I was afraid. At least if my makeup looks good, something deep inside me reasoned, maybe I won't be exposed. Found out. Seen." That was my fear. I was afraid of being exposed. That the shortcomings I try to keep hidden deep inside would be seen.

The play is the thing.

The Kingdom of God is the thing.

My focus was all on me. How I looked. What people would think of me. I wasn't about the Kingdom of God. I was about me.

There came a familiar prompting deep within my soul. Tell the women about your fear.

I'm sorry, what now Lord? Surely you don't mean I should stand in front of those women and actually tell them I'm afraid?!

Tell the women about your fear.

Obedience is something I've been attempting to practice lately. When God prompts, I (try to) obey.

Yes, Lord.

Tell the women about your fear. Tell them My kingdom is the thing.

Yes Lord.

So there I stood on stage doing my thing. In the end I could not not obey.

I told the women things were about to get real (I'm such a dork. things are about to get real? Who says that?!)

There I stood on stage in front of all 600 of them. 

I told them about getting ready.

I told them the play is the thing, the Kingdom of God is the thing.

Then I confesses that I was afraid. 

I confessed that I was making it about me. 

I confessed it needed to be about God.

Set yourself aside today. Let God draw close and show you what he has for you.

Obedence. It was my way of getting out of the way and letting 

the play be the thing, better yet letting

the Kingdom of God be the thing.