GPBC Blog

By Caris Power--

In 2019 BC (Before COVID), I landed the role of “Silly Girl #2” in a local musical production of Beauty and the Beast. This was my first on-stage acting role I had held since my glorious elementary school years. I had a handful of lines and was also part of the chorus, carrying the alto line for my section of the stage. I really struggled for weeks. The music was challenging; my lines, although few, were maddeningly hard to remember; and acting like a hunky, dim, and self-absorbed man was the sole object of my affection did not come naturally. 

So, I practiced. I pounded out parts on the piano. I recorded myself singing parts and relistened to them over and over in the car. I wrote a million notes all over my music. I repeated my speaking lines often. And I made doe-eyed, smitten faces at myself in the mirror, trying to find that perfect expression to communicate all my embarrassing devotion. 

When it came time for our performances, the lines, the music, and, yes, even the doe-eyes came quite naturally and easily. My cast mates and I had rehearsed the story, we had rehearsed our roles in the story, and when it came time to communicate that story to the audience, we did it without hesitation or uncertainty. We knew who we were! We were little people in a quiet village waking up to say, “Bonjour!” The story became vibrant and alive because of our preparation and we were met with standing ovations at curtain time. Bravo, bravo, bravissimo!

For many of us, there is another story in which we have all be invited to be cast in. The Big God Story. And, oh, it is the best story of all. It has the most beautiful and perfect introduction. Creation. Beauty. Intimate and unhindered Love. All is well. A world we’d love to have stayed in.

But, alas, the villain enters the story, and darkness envelops the land. Sin lands heavy on the souls of men. Desperateness. Futility. A hero is promised. Defiance. Suffering. Time passes. The people work hard to compensate for their shadows. More time passes. Hope is nearly forsaken and then…a light dawns. The hero comes. He shows the path of light, of wisdom, of compassion, truth and love.

Then in a wild plot twist, the hero gives up his life. What kind of ending is this? The people are unsure. Then it’s the third day. The hero slips off the fetters of death and rises, victorious and righteous. The villain is defeated. The people are free. Hope bursts forth as the hero offers all people the chance to inherit new titles. Instead of Mournful, they are called Joyful. Instead of Orphan, they take up the names Sons and Daughters. Instead of Payment Due they are called Redeemed. Instead of Corrupt they are appointed Righteous. To each who take up a new name he gives the charge to become bearers of the Story. Heralds of its narrative. Singers of its tale. 

So here we are, emissaries and cast members of the most significant, wonderful, vibrant story the earth has ever known. And there are audiences throughout our lives that have not heard this singular story and felt the impact of it on their souls. This is a story that we must practice and rehearse, understanding completely our roles in it and its implication for our audience, thereby making us credible and passionate relayers of its plot. 

That is one reason that we rehearse the story every Sunday when we gather. As cast members of the Big God Story, we must know this story inside and out. We must celebrate its impact on our lives. We must praise the Author of the story. If we don’t embrace our role in it, how can we ever convince the audience of who we are within its pages?

But one weekly practice is not enough. We need to get into our scripts (the Word of God), memorizing its lines, filling it up with notes. We need to get with others to practice scenes (small groups, mentoring, discipleship, service). We need to fall in love with the Author of the story (prayer, worship, enjoying creation). 

Each of these things prepares us to boldly bring the Story to life for another. Not only that but we’ve got the Prompter (the Holy Spirit) ready to cue us as to what to say and where to move to in this inspiring stage adaptation of the Big God Story. We can joyfully present the fruit of our labor and love to a new audience, just as some other cast member did for us when we had not yet heard the greatest tale of love and sacrifice the world has ever seen.  

Go, therefore, as actors and players in this beautiful, epic Jesus saga, and bid others to enter the Story with you. Let’s get this show on the road. 

Now, go break a leg!