For some people, being on the stage show is always become an interesting thing. Bathed by sparkling light and accompanied by a loud of applause is a special satisfaction for them. Cameras are placed on the different side and angle so the cameras could clearly capture and record every detail of their movement and expression.

Well you know, no matter how small mistakes and flaws they have, it will be revealed when they under the spray of lighting, the cameras panned them, and the eyes of audience focused on them. That’s why the stage seems demanding “A perfection” to those who act on the stage. Require high quality of talent, the beauty of costumes, expression, and so on.

“The must perform perfectly” makes a lot of people willing to do the extra effort. They practiced for months, setting up quite big funds for costumes, a strict diet in order to look more attractive, and all other efforts in order to give the best. Well of course they put the big expectation to get a great response.

No doubt! Anyone who stands on the stage will always be the limelight. If they successfully stunning, they will get a great compliments. But if failed, they will get bad scorn.

All that I wrote above is the stage in the real sense. Now please allow me to use the “Stage” term as an illustration in our everyday life.

THE STAGE OF LIFE

In the daily activities every people has their own “Stage”, which is an area or moment where every of their appearance, abilities, and personality can be seen, felt and judged by others. This area or moment could be anything and anywhere such as in the working world, school, college, malls, social organizations, even in the Church services, and others.

God’s word has been telling us that: ”For the Lord does not see as man sees; FOR MAN LOOKS AT THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7b) The easy thing that could draw people attention is what is emblazoned in the front of their eyes, whether it is good or bad.

As a performer on the stage, many of us today when will, ongoing, or after doing something, thinking about what others think about us.

For example:

If they thought I am a great worker?

Whether according to my friends I am a nice person? If I do this thing, whether they will think I am snob?

Whether the congregation thinks that my ministry is tremendous?

Does anyone see when I was do something wrong?

Whether my today looks is so impressive?

And so on…

Nobody wants to look bad in the other’s eyes. It is be the impetus for us to trying hard to make the best performance. Is it wrong? No! God has conferred us a life. God provides valuable opportunities to work and serve Him. All that things are an entrusted moment that has given by God so that we could reflect His glory and blessing. Certainly we have to give our best and not to be carelessly in order not to be a stumbling block.

The problem is for WHO and for WHAT we do everything? For self-gratification, compliment, be loved by many people, got a promotion, is considered as a good and godly person, respected, or….??

FOR THE LORD

And WHATEVER you do, do it heartily, as TO THE LORD and NOT TO MEN. (Collosians 3:23)

There is a big difference between doing to God and to man. If we did everything to God, then we would certainly prefer the favor of God instead of human assessment. If our motivation is to God, then we will be more focused on what is seen by God, namely HEART us, and not just pursue all things that look dazzling in the human’s eyes.

Many people, even Christians, ignore their hearts in order to get a positive assessment from the human. Jesus gave an example someone who did worship with TO BE SEEN BY MEN motivation. And Jesus called them a hypocrite (Matthew 6:5).

Look at how something is good and right in the eyes of man are not necessarily good and right in the Lord’s eyes. Why? Once again, because man see what is in the front of their eyes, But GOD SEES THE HEART. Something right if done with the wrong heart attitude will be wrong in the God’s eyes. So what we should do to not get stuck in it?

INTEGRITY AND UPRIGHTNESS

Let INTEGRITY and UPRIGHTNESS preserve me, For I wait for You. (Psalm 25:21)

This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense TOWARD GOD AND MEN. (Acts 24:16)

We must build our lives in integrity and uprightness according to the standard of God’s word. Build a life without pretense and ulterior motives. What appears on the outside should be the same as what is inside. What is not seen should be the same with is seen. Our Actions and attitudes should reflect what is in our hearts and not “act” in order to get the applause and recognition.

Our actual “Value” is not when we are acting on “the stage of life” but when we are in the behind “The closed curtains” and there is no one see us.

As a stage show:

When the show is over…

When lighting has been turned off…

When the camera is no longer on..

When attention is no longer focused on us…

Do we still have a heart GIVING THE BEST in all things?

Are we still behave, and do the best just like when we seen?

WHEN THE SHOW IS OVER, DO WE STILL BE THE SAME PERSON AS WHEN WE WERE ON STAGE??

All is back to the true heart. “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” (Proverb 4:23) A godly heart would bring forth a godly life. The sacred heart will bring forth the holy life, etc.

Let’s give the best in integrity and uprightness. Not in order to get a positive appreciation of other people and not for the benefit of ourselves, but for God and for God alone. As David’s prayers, let us allow the Holy Spirit to examine and evaluate our inner thoughts and motives in our deepest hearts and minds, so that we always walk in God’s truth.

Examine me, O Lord, and test me! Evaluate my inner thoughts and motives! (Psalms 26:2 NET)

For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth. (Psalms 26:3 NKJV)

Amen.

By: Sella Irene – Beautiful Words

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