All The World’s A Stage
Luke 24:28-32
This past week I went to Ashland, Oregon to attend three plays presented by the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. This is a favorite trip for me. The drive down is delightful, and the plays are worth the drive. When I go to a favorite place, I find places that I have enjoyed in the past or feel enriched by their offerings. This was true for this experience as well. I just had to show my son and daughter-in-law the Creswell Bakery, the Harry and David’s store in Medford, Lithia Park, the theaters, and events that are part of my life.
Likewise, our Christian faith grows and develops out of lived experiences. Some activities are very meaningful, and we want those around us to know about them! We easily fall into telling stories, or we show them something special that we have discovered. So, we share the worship service that brings us into a closer relationship with God and creates community with others. We invite our friends to a Bible study that stretches our mind and heart. And, with a Christ-filled heart, we work at the community service project to make a difference in our corner of the world.
The OSF plays were challenging and enlightening. That, of course, was the focus of our travels. We saw the musical, “Midsummer Night’s Dream” (from which the title of this blog is taken: “Joy, gentle friends.”) It was a great way to begin our series, brought smiles on our faces, and the acting was spot on!
Then we witnessed the fast-moving musical of “Come from Away.” This one spoke about our present-day experiences and recent historical events. As the director said, “I don’t think there is a single person who is not grappling with something big in their lives. And what makes it even more difficult is we are divided. There appears to be more investment in being right than in doing the right thing.” It left us thinking and analyzing.
Finally, we saw “Raisin in the Sun”, a drama that reminds us of what life is like for those who work so hard, have so little, and are so shunned by others because of the color of their skin. In our present time, the question might be: “How do we hold onto hope and continue to find the courage to dream, when divisiveness and violence play out with a vengeance across our nation, a cruel and vicious backlash to 70 years of gains in civil and human rights?
The reading of God’s Word is comparable to viewing and participating in the plays. Sometimes it is uplifting, even bringing a smile to our faces when we think how awesome God is as he brings hope, love, and possibility to us and our world. Often, the Scriptures encourage us to make a difference when it is most needed. They teach us what is important. And sometimes, we are brought to our knees in sorrow for what we do, say, or think that brings hardship, hurt, or despair to others. The Scriptures are like a whole bunch of plays where human activity is revealed for what it is, and God is characterized as calling us to repent and be part of the solution to the problems around us.
As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:28-32)
Prayer: Thank you, God, for everything. Here I am. Melt me, mold me, use me. Amen.
