The Christmas Play was my first project as a youth director about 8 years ago. My oldest daughter was a year old. That first play was simple and written by someone else. The practice was so terrible that I literally cried. The play was less than a day a way. The kids were not listening, didn't know their lines and all of the songs were off key.
Faye said, "Don't worry, the worst the practice goes, the better the play will be."
Every year it seems to be about the same way. The practice takes at least twice as long as the actual play. I've got at least one kid that doesn't know any of his/her lines and one kid that is completely stressed out because they have put their heart and soul into the play this year. Each year, my husband asks why I am doing it. Someone reminds me that we are not putting on a Broadway production and it is just a little Christmas play and each year Faye gives me the exact same line about the worst practice.
Just so you all know. I know the answer to those questions. I do it because no matter how much it stresses me out, I know that some people completely love the tradition. I do it because some people only come to church that one time every year. I do it because I have seen grown men cry at how the message touched them. I do it because I have heard that moment when the actors in the play realize the meaning and feel that little tug in their heart that they are sharing God's message. I do it because I loved it as a child and my girls love it now. But, mainly I do it because God gives me a message to share.
Secondly, I am very well aware that it is not Broadway. Trust me, I wouldn't cut it as a director on Broadway and some of my players couldn't make the school play let alone a Broadway audition. I don't necessarily choose my actors because they are talented. I get whatever God gives me each year to work with and I try to find the part that will have the most meaning to that actor. We don't have the money, glamour, or glitz of Broadway. All we got is a message from God and group of kids that may or may not be dedicated to performing God's message. No, I'm not Broadway style, yet I think Jesus deserves that level of effort. Yes, I think if I was in a Broadway play that I would do my absolute best. I would take the time and put the effort in it, because after all who gets to go to Broadway only the best of the best. I give it my all because it might bring me fame, fortune and more opportunity. Should I not give this play the same level of respect. After all, Jesus Christ is the best of the best of the best. He's chosen me through a series of events that I can't explain to give his message. He may not give me fame or fortune, but he has given me eternal life and he gives me opportunities all the time (sometimes whether I deserve them or not).
Yes, this is not a Broadway play, but I will give it my best effort, because God has given me his and he deserves mine. So no matter how bad that last practice is or how much I stress, I know that Faye's right. The worse the practice, the better the play because God knows much better than I do why, when and how his message will get to people.
(For those involved in the play - I have three Queries for you. First - Why are you involved in the play? Second - Are you putting as much effort as you do your school/sport events? Third - Do you understand the message that God is giving through your character?
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