As a theatre kid, I love this quote from Shakespeare. As a Christian, it truly got me thinking. Who's directing my play? Am I in the play of this physical world with Satan as my director? Or I denied the role of "sinner" to play a part in God's off-Broadway production simply title, "The Body."
This is a revolutionary show, truly. The cast is vast and varied, and yet they work together to play the part of ONE BODY.
This cast gets together every Sunday morning and once in awhile during the week in small groups for rehearsals, which are always open to the public. The show runs almost constantly with new members being added simply because the show's message compels them.
More people are becoming aware of injuries and mistakes that have occurred on stage daily. And some cast members have been known to apologize ahead of time for what might occur on stage. Others have even encouraged the audience to leave and explore other shows.
Although some great actors have taken pride in The Body, the show is rarely advertised, and critics rarely give it good reviews.
People work very hard to degrade the character and nature of the show, but it is somehow able to survive.
Why? The Director is brilliant. The crew: angelic. And the Producer's resources are vast, limitless really. And although He has never been seen and rarely been heard, He has communicated through His Son, the original Star of the Show, that the show is what means the most to Him. It is the Biography of His Son put into action on stage.
So no matter what the opposition, He has made it clear: "The Show must go on."
So, how about you? What;s your role? Right now, I'm the mouth.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
The life of a Christian college student.
As a college student, there are a few questions that I get asked A LOT. I really must admit that sometimes I rattle off an answer I know people expect, even if it is not the whole truth. So here are the questions and the REAL answers.
Q:What's your major?
A: This is usually a loaded question. When college students ask each other this question, they mean "What classes are you taking?" They usually want to find a common ground for conversation and friendship. When "responsible adults" ask college students this question, who knows what they really mean. I've often had professors use this as a launching point to suggest I switch majors. Friends parents want to know, "Are you a responsible person, or a loser that is a bad influence on my child?" The truth is, there is not an answer I have given that seemed satisfactory to those who ask this question.... But I have not promised a satifactory answer. I only promised the truth. The truth is, I am a General Studies major. I will graduate in May with an AA in General Studies.... I know, I know. I told you I am asked this question a lot. I have also answered it a lot. I know what you're thinking.
Q:How many classes are you taking?
A: Another trick question. I am always taking to many or too few. I really can't help that. My usual answer "I am a full-time student." That is usually vague enough to weed out the truely nosy from the casual conversationalists. The nosy one always asks again until I give the more specific answer they are looking for. "I am taking 12 credits right now." This is the part where an unaproving eyebrow raises and the question is known without being asked. "But I take summer and winter classes. Besides, I work 30 hours a week." I often leave out my volunteer work because some people suggest I drop it in order to take more classses.... Let me just go on the record saying "I take 12-13 credits a semester." Period.
Q:What do you want to be when you are done with school?
A:I have changed my mind so many times on what exactly I am going to do that this question might never be totally answered until I am retired. I want to teach in some realm. I know I am going to be in ministry somewhere, but what I'll do for money (which is what this question really means) I don't know. I may come home after college and work at Starbucks for the rest of my life. (Actually, that sounds kinda perfect.) Or I may get a paying position at a church. Or I may marry and never actually work a paying job after I'm 25. Who knows? Yes, Mom, I will keep my options open. I may go back to school and get my teaching credentials. But the truth is, and we are talking truth here, I don't know. And really don't think many "kids" my age do.
Q:Where are you going to school?
A: This is another status question. It usually comes from co-workers and people I went to high school with. They want to know how smart I am or how much money I have. I go to a community college and live at home. No, it's not the exciting "college experience" that we all imagine, but affordable it is. And accredited also.
Q: And after that?
A: I would love to say that I am positive that at this time next year I will be in Lima, Peru. Honestly, I don't know what tomorow will bring. I believe God wants me at Calvary Chapel Bible College in Lima, but He may lead me somewhere else. So I am trying not to rush ahead. I am planning for it though. I am doing my research and saving some money. We'll see where it all ends up.
Q:How do you pay for it?
A: Scholarship. Work. Living at home. These are all honest answers. They all factor in. But the truth: God. I don't know how I will pay for next year without a miracle, and when I graduated I felt the same way about my first semester. God has it under control.
Q: What do you do in your free time?
A:What's free time? Any time I have free, I immediately fill. This blog takes up most of my "free time." But really, like many college students know, blogging usually happens when you should be studying for that Psych final you have in two hours. Friends often ask me what I am doing on the weekend. My answer, "Not much." The truth: What am I not doing? I work. I go to school. I teach Sunday School. I am involved in several ministries at my church and on campus. I volunteer at my sister's school. And I have a large close-knit family that has stolen all my heart and free time. But like I have told some friends, "If you want to do something, I will make time for you. It's just not free."
So that is my truth. I mean that is obviously not all there is to me, and my life. And this may not be the answers that any other person would give to these questions. But I am pretty sure that most college students can relate to at least one of these. And keep in mind that we do hear these questions.... A LOT.
Q:What's your major?
A: This is usually a loaded question. When college students ask each other this question, they mean "What classes are you taking?" They usually want to find a common ground for conversation and friendship. When "responsible adults" ask college students this question, who knows what they really mean. I've often had professors use this as a launching point to suggest I switch majors. Friends parents want to know, "Are you a responsible person, or a loser that is a bad influence on my child?" The truth is, there is not an answer I have given that seemed satisfactory to those who ask this question.... But I have not promised a satifactory answer. I only promised the truth. The truth is, I am a General Studies major. I will graduate in May with an AA in General Studies.... I know, I know. I told you I am asked this question a lot. I have also answered it a lot. I know what you're thinking.
Q:How many classes are you taking?
A: Another trick question. I am always taking to many or too few. I really can't help that. My usual answer "I am a full-time student." That is usually vague enough to weed out the truely nosy from the casual conversationalists. The nosy one always asks again until I give the more specific answer they are looking for. "I am taking 12 credits right now." This is the part where an unaproving eyebrow raises and the question is known without being asked. "But I take summer and winter classes. Besides, I work 30 hours a week." I often leave out my volunteer work because some people suggest I drop it in order to take more classses.... Let me just go on the record saying "I take 12-13 credits a semester." Period.
Q:What do you want to be when you are done with school?
A:I have changed my mind so many times on what exactly I am going to do that this question might never be totally answered until I am retired. I want to teach in some realm. I know I am going to be in ministry somewhere, but what I'll do for money (which is what this question really means) I don't know. I may come home after college and work at Starbucks for the rest of my life. (Actually, that sounds kinda perfect.) Or I may get a paying position at a church. Or I may marry and never actually work a paying job after I'm 25. Who knows? Yes, Mom, I will keep my options open. I may go back to school and get my teaching credentials. But the truth is, and we are talking truth here, I don't know. And really don't think many "kids" my age do.
Q:Where are you going to school?
A: This is another status question. It usually comes from co-workers and people I went to high school with. They want to know how smart I am or how much money I have. I go to a community college and live at home. No, it's not the exciting "college experience" that we all imagine, but affordable it is. And accredited also.
Q: And after that?
A: I would love to say that I am positive that at this time next year I will be in Lima, Peru. Honestly, I don't know what tomorow will bring. I believe God wants me at Calvary Chapel Bible College in Lima, but He may lead me somewhere else. So I am trying not to rush ahead. I am planning for it though. I am doing my research and saving some money. We'll see where it all ends up.
Q:How do you pay for it?
A: Scholarship. Work. Living at home. These are all honest answers. They all factor in. But the truth: God. I don't know how I will pay for next year without a miracle, and when I graduated I felt the same way about my first semester. God has it under control.
Q: What do you do in your free time?
A:What's free time? Any time I have free, I immediately fill. This blog takes up most of my "free time." But really, like many college students know, blogging usually happens when you should be studying for that Psych final you have in two hours. Friends often ask me what I am doing on the weekend. My answer, "Not much." The truth: What am I not doing? I work. I go to school. I teach Sunday School. I am involved in several ministries at my church and on campus. I volunteer at my sister's school. And I have a large close-knit family that has stolen all my heart and free time. But like I have told some friends, "If you want to do something, I will make time for you. It's just not free."
So that is my truth. I mean that is obviously not all there is to me, and my life. And this may not be the answers that any other person would give to these questions. But I am pretty sure that most college students can relate to at least one of these. And keep in mind that we do hear these questions.... A LOT.
Friday, August 15, 2008
What've You Been Doing Lately
Your life could use improving greatly.
I just wanted to know what's going on
when everything that goes is going wrong.
--Relient K
In Hebrews chapter 12 it says: "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees."
I've been getting some tough lessons thrown at me lately. And I'm just taking in all this spiritual muscle toning, awaiting the trial I know must be coming. God has definitely been testing me, and I think spiritually, I'm falling way short of my perfectionist 4.0 GPA.Some tests I pass with flying colors; others I fail... miserably. But through this, God has proven faithful.
About a year ago, I had a friend tell me something that has stuck with me, and has helped me keep pressing on. She said, "God is the same today as He was a month ago. And He expects just as much of you now as He did then. Probably more."
God is immutable. He never changes. But He does change us. And He expects us to change to be more like Him.
Paul warned Timothy of the importance of being faithful to God's calling.
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, and in purity... Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." (1Timothy 4:12, 16)
"Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." (2Timothy 2:3) That part doesn't sound like a lot of fun, but it is important to endure.
And there is a promise. Paul wrote to the Philippians reminding them that he was "confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
So we must be disciplined and continue to grow. I must live the life God has called me to. But He will be there to do all the work.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Today I will...
"If you are going to college for any reason other than to be a missionary, you are going for selfish and sinful reasons."
(Please understand the context of this quote. In this case, missionary does not mean a person who is paid to spread the word of God to people in other countries, but merely a fisher of men, a disciple-maker.)
Ouch. The leader of my college's Christian Challenge said this to our group at an event about a week ago, and it really hit me. I started thinking. Why do I do the things I do? Do I do them because of something I will gain? Do I do them out of obligation? OR Do I do them for God?
Do I work for God? Go to school for God? Volunteer for God? Go to church for God? Do I generally live my daily life for God?
Paul says, "I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." (Galatians 2:20) As a Christian, my life should belong to Christ. Do I give him that control?
When I really searched myself, the answer was "no". There are many things I realized were not in the more than capable hands of the Creator.
Giving Him these things, I strive to say with a sincere heart that "the life I live in this body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loves me and gave Himself up for me." (Galatians 2:21) It's the least I could do, but it's all I CAN do. And it's only logical.
One thing I need to give to God is my schedule. But when I give this up, I realize it needs to be me giving time to God out of a love response, not some "spiritual" obligation.
I recently have been beating myself up for missing quiet time. Every time I think I've figured out the perfect time for God, my schedule changes.
But the problem is I have gone about this the wrong way. Instead of staring at my planner trying to "squeeze God in", I should be staring at my God. It should be easy to find time for the Lover of my soul.
Don't get me wrong; we all need a little discipline, and I have learned to make quiet time a priority, even when I don't feel like it. But the point is, living for God is not about setting up a life around godly works. It's about letting God change you to be more like Him.
(Please understand the context of this quote. In this case, missionary does not mean a person who is paid to spread the word of God to people in other countries, but merely a fisher of men, a disciple-maker.)
Ouch. The leader of my college's Christian Challenge said this to our group at an event about a week ago, and it really hit me. I started thinking. Why do I do the things I do? Do I do them because of something I will gain? Do I do them out of obligation? OR Do I do them for God?
Do I work for God? Go to school for God? Volunteer for God? Go to church for God? Do I generally live my daily life for God?
Paul says, "I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." (Galatians 2:20) As a Christian, my life should belong to Christ. Do I give him that control?
When I really searched myself, the answer was "no". There are many things I realized were not in the more than capable hands of the Creator.
Giving Him these things, I strive to say with a sincere heart that "the life I live in this body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loves me and gave Himself up for me." (Galatians 2:21) It's the least I could do, but it's all I CAN do. And it's only logical.
One thing I need to give to God is my schedule. But when I give this up, I realize it needs to be me giving time to God out of a love response, not some "spiritual" obligation.
I recently have been beating myself up for missing quiet time. Every time I think I've figured out the perfect time for God, my schedule changes.
But the problem is I have gone about this the wrong way. Instead of staring at my planner trying to "squeeze God in", I should be staring at my God. It should be easy to find time for the Lover of my soul.
Don't get me wrong; we all need a little discipline, and I have learned to make quiet time a priority, even when I don't feel like it. But the point is, living for God is not about setting up a life around godly works. It's about letting God change you to be more like Him.
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