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 It
What 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.
posted by Colleen @ 12:22 PM
4 Comments:
Very good. Lord, help us to be content in out roles, to rejoice in your plan and not to become proud or think less of ourselves or others who are playing a seemingly smaller role. Every part is just as important. Thank you Lord. Amen.
You're absolutely right. It's not always the role, it's how we roll! How do we flow in our giftings. Do we even use our gifts? Do we desire to be just like someone else, never finding our calling, purpose, or happiness. Or do we seek and walk after what God has created us for and how to be all of it. We are all part of the "Great Net" that God uses to fish with. Neither the hand, nor the eye, nor the body is more important. Let Him live through you and you won't find it too difficult to lead or support. Good post! Very personal and encouraging.
How deep! so you are learning to be a supporting role then?
Thanks Chris, and Steph - yes
Post a Comment
<< Home