Reality Road

I sat on the carpeted stage at the front of the church. I just couldn't muster the energy I needed. The cast, looking back at me from the pews, didn't know their lines and most of them were late. I didn't know how we were going to get the rooms finished, I couldn't seem to get the help from the year before. I was missing the sound effects and had dropped the ball on asking Wayne, like I had planned. On top of that, I wasn't feeling well. At least my suffering would be short, the performance was in a couple weeks.

In spite of my desire to go home, I got to my feet, forced a smile to my face and opened our presentation practice with prayer. I knew what was needed. I needed to stay strong, lead with confidence. I knew it would be OK, but wasn't feeling it.

"Take your places, I don't want to see any scripts.". The mismatched cast, of young and old exited through the back doors to get to their starting spots. It would be a night to push me to my limits, but we would make it through. The class room and the street scene needed a lot of work, I had to confiscate a few scripts and there were scenes we couldn't even do because of missing people.

I taped the sign on the door directing people to the entrance of Reality Road. Because thus was a walkthrough presentation, ending in the sanctuary, we needed to guide everyone to the church's back door. It was opening night and not only had the church been transformed, but so was my attitude. As always, the church pulled together, the rooms looked great, the cast was in great form, I felt blessed. God had used the last couple week to refine my character.

I walked through the building turning off lights, putting last touches on the scenes. The lights were on in the throne room. It was jaw dropping. The white and gold lights filled the rooms. The book of life floated before throne, which was fifteen feet above where the audience would be watching from. It was hard to remember this was just a simple church most of the year. I had hope that God would be with us tonight.

I seemed to be in a non-stop prayer all day.

When Shelly's Dad came to see the presentation. I expected he was there, like many family members, in support of Shelly and I. He was a nice guy, but he never really seemed that interested in the things of God. I expected he would say he liked it, but not really "get it". I instructed the cast not on to pray for him. Angels and demons alike knew he was going through. They petitioned God.

I don't know exactly what happened that night. I certainly don't know the conversation the took place between God and my father-in-law. What I do know, though, is God got ahold of him that night. He was changed. All the work, the sweat, the struggles were worthwhile. This is what we were here for, what we had hoped for.

Even thinking about it now, I feel loved by God. He didn't need me to do any of these things, but I'm so glad he chose me.


Romans 5:3-5 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.