Stream of Consciousness

It seems that I must stop making promises. Everytime I write, I swear it will be sooner and yet I find that it never is. And thus it seems that promises will forever be my pitfall. So reader, no more promises. If my writing benefits you, then all the more. It may seem a slightly selfish thing to say - but this blog is more often an escape for my stream of consciousness. If it benefits others, than it is an additional plus to the way I seem to waste my time.

But moving on, I am now at college in the wonderful suburbs of St.Paul, Minnesota... and it is beautiful. I have definitely had my ups and downs since being here but it is more wonderful than anything I could have ever hoped for. I have met some of the most amazing people that I know I will ever meet. I have seen more evidence of faith in God in these past two months than ever. I am always witnessing how wonderful the God of our universe is... how magnificent.

I was offered a role in one of the fall productions here on campus and I feel so blessed to have been afforded such an opportunity. The play was called The Clearing. It is a beautifully tragic play about the ethnic cleansing that took place in Ireland in the 17th century. It was a very touching production and took a great deal of emotional investment from every cast and crew member (who are all fabulous I might add). I found myself awed by the compassion, empathy, humor and just outright honesty that existed in such a small community of students and faculty.

I knew that I loved theatre for a reason but I experienced a reral passion for theatre for maybe only the second time in my life. Through sickness, excessive course loads, family tragedy, aand personal struggles I watched every member of the production persevere just to give the audience a story. When we prayed before each performance I would listen in amazement as person after person continued to pray that God's glory could be shone through our work.

It doesn't occur to many people at all, especially when you look at most modern productions, but theatre is an incredibly spiritual experience. While good theatre does require a certain level of talent, skill, and training, part of it is controlled completely by God. Christ was a story-teller and so are we. Yes, theatre can be crude, disruptive, obnoxious, degrading, and inappropriate at times...but so can life. As Christians, it is our responsibility to reach out to the lonely,broken, frightened, and empty.

If as Christians, we choose simply to acknowledge, accept, and coexist with only other Christians, then we are failing Christ. We are called to be fishers of men...all men and women, not just the ones we choose. Life can be harsh and disgusting and so those stories must be told too. Besides, most people have not been Christians all their lives and even if they have... well, nobody is perfect. I believe that my passion for theatre comes from the fact that I can tell other peoples stories. I can help people feel like they are understood. No one should ever have to walk alone through life and everyone should be given the opportunity to know God, or His son was sent to die in vain.

My point of view may be "extremist" but I assure you that bubbles of any sort will get you nowhere. I beliee that God intervened an saved my life four years ago and I would never deny that chance to any other human being. He doesn't always works on grand, or even noticable, scales...but He does work.

Don't believe me?

Look around. Do you see a roof over your head or clothes on your body? If so, than you have much to be grateful for. Families around the world sing God's praise even as they live from one day to the next on virtually nothing. Look out the window. Look at the clouds and the grass, and the changing leaves. See the children playing in the street and the sun shining. It is a good day. Think of the worst moment of your life. Know that you survived it - that alone is reason to smile. And smiles? Smiles are worth the world.

Playlist:
She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5
Angel of Mine - Monica