One of my weaknesses

As many of you know I have been involved in the Theatre for quite a few years now. I have a degree in Theatre Arts, I worked professionally in theatre for around 10 years and I continue to be involved as my schedule allows. If you’ve never been involved in putting together a production then all you probably know is what you see when you go to a show. You sit down listen to some music while waiting for the show to begin. Finally the house lights go out the stage lights come up and you see actors on a stage working effortlessly at sharing a story. You sit back enjoy the story then when it’s done go about the rest of your evening chatting with friends about the marvelous work you just saw. But for those involved in the production it wasn’t quite so simple. You see first the actor has to be taught how to act. Once they learn the art they go to auditions proving they can act better than the other guy. Once they are cast in a part they get a script and sit down at a table with the rest of the cast and read through it while talking about their character. They discuss the characters background, life, history, future, Can he walk, does he have a limp, why doe she hate talking to her neighbor? They break down the script trying to learn all they can about “Who they are playing” Then they get onstage and have a director tell them where to stand, when to move and how to speak, plus they have to memorize all those lines. The typical rehearsal process is about 6 weeks long. By the time anybody sees the show they have it all figured out and running smooth. Basically we do everything we can before you arrive to make sure it appears effortless to you. In recent years I’ve begun to realize that this has rubbed off in my life as well. If I don’t have something completely figured out I rarely talk about it. Before beginning a new project I need to know all the steps. Before initiating a conversation I like to have the first few sentences lined up. Group dance lessons FORGET IT. I need to look like my act is together. WAIT A MINUTE! I just had a thought. Maybe it’s not me? Maybe others suffer from this strange phenomena. I thought it was just us “Theatre Folk” because that’s all I was around for years. But for the last few years theatre has been a hobby not a profession. I’ve been around “Real folk” and I just realized many of you act the same way. Why is that? What is it in our nature that compels us to act this way? Do you know what else I learned? While managing a scene shop my tendency was the same. I wanted to know exactly how to build the set before starting yet there was usually at least one project that I couldn’t work out all the answers. I would have to trust what I did know, begin the project and trust the rest would fall in place IT ALWAYS DID! I’ve stood in front of an audience as an actor and experienced parts of the show for the first time with them. Talk about nervous energy. IT ALWAYS WORKED OUT! Long story short I’ve learned that we of course need to prep as best we can but despite all our preparations there comes a time to step out in faith and trust your talent, skills, instinct. I think our Christian life is the same. God calls us to do something for him yet when it comes time to walk in the calling how often do we feel prepared? How often do we say “Not yet God I still have more to learn” or “I don’t have enough money” or “I’m not a speaker”, “I’m too shy” Moses had no doubt it was God giving him the call and he said “I’m not a good speaker get someone else” Israel initially refused to enter the promised land for fear they couldn’t fight even though God promised them victory. Jephthah (Judges 11) was afraid to go to battle despite Gods calling. Can you imagine the fear of Jesus Disciples the first time he sent them out without him to preach the good news and heal the sick? But they went out experienced God personally and came back Filled with joy and excitement.

My friends we need to “GET OVER IT” we need to spend our time growing closer to God and when he gives us a calling we need to trust what he has developed in us in GET TO IT! Yes of course we need to plan, we need to think and process but don’t use that as an excuse to sit back. Don’t wait till ya have it all figured out. Last Friday night I heard someone speaking and he commented on how he was recently told he needed to get out of “Figure it out mode” I like it! Friends GET OUT OF FIGURE IT OUT MODE AND START DOING! I myself have been in this mode since returning home from my trip. I’ve found myself walking and asking God “What now” to which I keep hearing him respond “Just Do it” God this isn’t a Nike commercial it’s my life we’re talking about! “Larry just do it” JUST DO WHAT! What I’ve put on you heart. God I know what you put on my heart but I don’t know how to go about it. Larry just do it just take a step. Can you believe it? I left my job a year ago not knowing how God would provide but he did. I left on a road trip seven months ago not knowing how God would provide HE DID. I make it home not knowing how God would get me a job in this economy HE DID. Know I’m sitting not wanting to take a step because I don’t have it all figured out? HE DOES!

So here’s the thing. For the last few years I have felt that God was in some way calling me to the church. Calling me to serve his people but until recently I didn’t know what that meant. Now I believe it’s to encourage and empower his people YOU to get out there and live the life he created you for. There are so many people out there that want to step it up but don’t know how. That want to learn more of God but not sure what to do. That want to show the world his love but are afraid to risk. First things first I want to right now tell you DO IT! Just take a step and God will be there. God will ignite such a passion and excitement inside you that you’ll never want it quenched. I know sometimes it’s easier said then done. Let me put this out there for you to chew on. I plan on starting a new group a “Small Group” that is focused on doing this thing together. I don’t claim to have it all figured out that’s what makes this so exciting. My step, my “Just do it” is this group I invite you to join me. The only guarantee I offer you is that you will be challenged. WE will be challenged. This group will be different, it wont be a bible study lets call it “On The Job Training” If you are interested in joining let me know. Get back to me with when you are available and hopefully we can find a time that works for anyone interested. What do ya say? Lets figure it out together! Lets step out together! Lets risk together! Lets Love together! Together lets turn the world “Upside Down”