Lead role or Supporting role?
"All the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players" William Shakespeare's As You Like ItWhat role do I play? Am I a lead role or a supporting role? Is it changing? Which way? If from lead to supporting - how's my attitude?
I was thinking about these things this morning.
What would happen if everybody played the lead at the same time? Confusion (everybody agruing with each other and bumping into each other) or boredom (all voices saying the same thing at the same time in one long monologue with nothing to break it).
What if there were no lead roles and all supporting roles? Confusion (where am I supposed to go ?- what am I supposed to do? while milling around aimlessly.
What if there was a call for a lot of supporting role policemen but they all acted the same & did the same things? Boredom - same ole same ole - (What!?! No bad cop, good cop? How would they ever get their man!?!)
Would you want to watch any of these? Not me. No way.
How about music, a symphony?
Everbody has lead? No solos? All in the same key playing the same notes - there goes the harmony - in comes droning. All the same instrument? Would you want to hear one of these symphonies (If you could call it that!)?
We all have roles to play - different ones at different times, some leading roles and some supporting roles. God gives us the grace for each phase of our lives. Leaders know how lonely and hard it is to go without the support of others around them while supporters know how aimless it feels to have no leadership.
It makes a difference what our attitude is whether a leader or supporter. Nobody wants to follow a leader who lords it over them, being selfish and overbearing. Nobody wants supporters who resent them, filled with envy and jealousy.
I think of King Saul and the Pharisees as opposed to Jonathan and John the Baptist. When King Saul knew David was up and coming, soon to replace him, he was angry, jealous, and bitter, fighting him all the way...hurting himself and those around him. Jonathan, his son, knew the same thing - that David would be king instead of himself one day - but he loved David, giving over his kingly apparrel to David and supporting him. When the Pharisees saw Jesus's popularity and how the people followed Him, they were jealous and looked for ways to kill Jesus (Saul of Tarsus & the disciples of Jesus!?!). When the disciples of John the Baptist commented to him that the crowds were now following Jesus, all John said is "He must increase, but I must decrease" John 3:30.
I want to be a gracious supporter of others.
This shows we need extra grace from God especially in times of going from lead role to support role - if you know of anybody here - PRAY FOR THEM!
I think because of my background I struggle with being a graceful supporter. If I step on any toes, please be aware God is working with me to be a more gracious supporter and pray for me.
Grace and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Yeah!!! Tomorrow is the first day of spring and this crocus was blooming today by my house. Beautiful isn't it? God's showin' His glory again!
"Paycheck" and "Equilibrium"
Last night I throughly enjoyed pizza and movies with two friend of mine. On the way home, I pondered the movies. We watched "Paycheck" and "Equilibrium".
What was it about the movies that really moved me? In "Paycheck" the guy was a genius who ended up out-smarting the bad guys. I think putting myself in the place of the hero (let's set aside that he's a guy and I'm a girl), makes me feel powerful in my intelligence. Lust for power, in essence. How about "Equilibrium"? Well, the guy went from bad to good but what was really impressive was his almost inhuman ability to fight and destroy the enemy, especially in impossible odds. Powerful. What's the interest in the marvel comic characters? Power. Don't get me wrong, these characters also are very complicated, having weaknesses and endearing qualities. But my focus is on what really draws us to these characters - I think it's their power. Movies like this are exciting and enjoyable but I think I need to guard my heart that it doesn't stir up in my heart a lust for power - be it in physical, mental, or a charismatic personality (not in the religious sense) prowess. I see being controlling and manipulative as seeking power as well. I confess, I have sought physical and mental prowess (I don't have what it takes for a charismatic personality). I have also been controlling and manipulative. I've even tried to manipulate God - to my shame. This helps me understand why God wants us to be humble followers and not lead as the world leads, lording it over people, but to be a servant leader. He knows our weakness. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Even some power leads to pride and a fall. Only GOD is qualified to be powerful - only GOD (all three members of the Trinity) isn't corrupted by power. Our sinful human nature grabs at power, runs with it, until we destroy not only those around us but ourselves. Jesus was our example. He showed us what it is to be humble and a servant leader. When people tried to make him a king, He avoided them. Why? Because then He wouldn't be showing us how we need to live. He would have ruled justly and wisely (as He will when He returns) but then we would have thought we could do the same. We can't.
I also learned about God in relation to me through the movie "Paycheck". I hope not to give away too much but I have to say some to be clear. The hero saw the future, but he knew he wouldn't remember, so he sent himself articles he knew he'd need. I see God in this. Only God knows our future and He provides for us ahead of time, knowing what we'll need. When he provides, we may not have a clue as to what it's for - but God knows that a time is coming when we'll need it. It'll make sense to us at the time we need to use it. Sometimes God doesn't provide until just the time we have need. We worry that He won't be there. That calls for faith - faith that God knows where we are and what we need - faith to trust that when the right time comes, He'll provide. Faith to trust that what God has given us, we'll need one day, even if we don't understand right now.
I'm thankful for having good friends and I'm happy I saw these movies because God used them to teach me. I also enjoyed the movies in themselves. I'll probably see more movies that may tempt me toward power-lust. If I know to guard my heart and do it, I can safely watch these shows and enjoy them. If I see in my life a turning toward lust for power in any way, I think I'll have to cut myself off from watching such shows.
Audio Poem of the Week
Ahhhm...new to hmmmm...Audio Poem of the Week. Click on "Audio Poem of the Week" located just below my profile to hear this week's poem. I may update more or less often depending on how the
Spirit leads me (and how much time I have available).
Various authors will be presented including
some of my own from time to time. Subject matter will also vary depending on how the
Spirit leads. I hope you will find the poems enjoyable, timely, and/or thought provoking. Enjoy.
