William Shakespeare wrote, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts.” If that is true then, how long is our performance? What is our role in the performance? What entrances? What exits? What lies between curtain up and final curtain call?
We appear in the age of love and innocence, born of two people who love each other dearly. We are brought in to a family filled with love and devotion to the idea that we are going to be the wisest, most charming child, grandchild, brother, sister, niece or nephew ever. We learn to walk, talk, eat, dress ourselves and deal with living among siblings or other children. Our family tries to teach us how to be the best person we are capable of being. Education we receive will help us achieve that goal.
As we age a bit, we begin to believe that we can find a better way on our own. We have our own desires and wishes for what we will do with this life we have been given. A dark shadow of temptation comes into focus. We see things, ways and ideas that appear to be enjoyable. Yet, fellow players on this stage may say that it is not so.
We wish to “find” ourselves. We want to make our own way through this performance. This is the age in which we think we know more than others know. This is the age when sin lures us into deep, dark paths from which it may be very difficult to return. Some within one’s circle of family, friends and society see that we are on a dangerous path, and wish to help us avoid the pitfalls.
They are not being mean or judgmental; they just want you to examine our roles in life and act according to the will of the stage director. “Who is He?” you ask. It is God who planned, produced and is now auditioning you for a part in the grand drama that He set in motion even before we were born.
The real question is what kind of performance are we showing day by day? Does God see a well done performance as we have stepped upon this stage? Will He applaud us with a “Well done good and faithful servant” at the final curtain call? That is greater than any earthly award could ever be.
Yes, the fact is that God is the audience. He sees it all. Our concern should be what kind of performance are we giving?
