by Pastor Joel Lawler

When I was in college, I was involved with theater. In Several productions, I was an actor. In a musical production of "Animal Farm," I played a sheep, a dog and Mr. Pinkerton. The production called for all the actors to be on stage at all times. Several nights, there were more people on stage than there were in the audience. Regardless of the size of the audience, we went out and played our parts and breathed life into the play.

There were also some plays where I had the privilege of being part of the tech crew. It was a great experience and was fun to be a part of creating live performances.

One of the moments in theater that I came to appreciate was the day that all our lines were down and we were allowed to go "off script." It is at this point that an actor gets to craft his character and be creative. The play is transformed and becomes something that is unique.

A good director knows where the boundaries are before the production goes off course and is no longer true to the original script. He will give the actors leeway to make their contribution. He will balance this creative freedom with a firm grasp on the integrity of the story.

The religious leaders in Jesus day knew the script very well. They had it memorized. Some even strapped portions of it in boxes to their foreheads. While their knowledge was tremendous, their motives were corrupt. They used the scriptures to manipulate and gain control of the people.

God has given us his scriptures and they are a precious gift. In fact in 2 Timothy 3, we are told:

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

We need to read our Bibles and know what it says. We should never just take someone else's opinions on it. We need to investigate and search out the truth for ourselves. It is our responsibility to seek and know the truth.

God also gave us a mind of our own. He gave us the wonderful ability to

create. He also created us uniquely different from everyone else.

We must be like the actor in that we know the script by heart so when we do not have it in our hands it is in our heads. We can then live out the truths God has given us. Something beautiful happens in this transformation. Our God given unique gifts and abilities shine for others and bring glory to Himself. Since we are His creation, we are a reflection of God. We play a part in God's play in a way only we can.

God desires to have a personal relationship with you and I. Part of this relationship is a calling or purpose that is all our own. There is joy and mystery in seeking this out and getting to know Him along our life's journey.

With God's Holy Spirit as our director, we can craft our character and live in the freedom God has given us to step out onto the stage of life and be the unique individual He created us to be.
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