ON STAGE

“Rehearsing your troubles results in experiencing them many times, whereas you are meant to go through them only when they actually occur. Do not multiply your suffering in this way! (Jesus Calling, January 16).”  

These words penetrated deep into my heart. When I rehearse something that is troubling me over and over again, the adversary cunningly interjects a script into my mind that sets itself up against the Author of the play.  If I’m not paying careful attention, I “forget my lines” (the truth of God’s Word) and the role God has given me to play.  I begin to believe the lies of the demonized script. Instead, if I “took five” and stopped giving them center stage, I suspect most of my troubles would disappear.  

The writer of Hebrews sets the scene straight.  As I read these words, I envisioned the eternal drama that has been unfolding since before the foundation of the world:

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a crowd of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2). 

What a glorious picture! What an audience!  A crowd of faithful witnesses surround us, clapping and cheering us on, not because of our great performance, but because of Jesus, who endured the cross, the author and finisher of our faith! And what a glorious day when we come before our Almighty God and Father, giving Him a “standing ovation” of our praise, shouting “Holy is He who sits on the throne!”  

Prayer: Lord, you’ve given each of us a role to play on this stage called “life in Christ.”  Help us to play our parts well, forever holding on to the truth of your Word, as we share the story of your Love with others, and may You receive all the glory! Amen.