Daily Devotional June 26, 2010

Daily Bible Reading - Deuteronomy 31, Psalm 119:97-120, Isaiah 58, Matthew 6

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”
William Shakespeare, As You Like It

At the bank I work at we have “on stage” and “off stage” areas and behaviors.
When we are “On Stage” it means that we are in areas that are in front of customers
where they can see us and our actions and hear what we are speaking. We are
performing so to speak for our customers in the role of teller, banker, etc. Our hope is
that the way we act when we are on stage will result in a good customer perception so
that they will trust us and our bank to handle their money. “Off stage” it really doesn’t
matter how we act, speak or look because it is all behind the curtains. We perform for
our customers.

The problem with Mr. Shakespeares quote is that if we are truly living life as
actors then who are we really. Not only that who are we performing for. Actors go on
stage to perform for an audience, generally of other people in order to produce a
reaction from the crowd (hopefully good) so that at the end of the day they can go home
feeling like they did their job well at fooling everyone into thinking that character was
really them.

As Christians we do this all to often. We begin to act out our Christian lifestyle.
We say the right things. Our speech is almost indiscernable to non-Christians because
of our Christianese way of saying things. The things we do resemble the character we
are playing. We go to church almost like we are there to do our punchcard. The clothes
we wear play a part too. Go into almost any church in America and I bet you’d swear
there was a dress code. We are expert players in our play of Christianity.

I am guilty of it myself, but the problem with going through the motions is what it
goes back to in Isaiah 58. This scripture begins to lay out a picture of Christians going
through the motions of religion. A people “acting like a righteous nation” but when it
comes down to it God calls them out and tells them the issue he has with their act is that
they are doing it all for themselves. They are playing for the part so that other people
can see what good actors they are. What good is it to be great actors when our actual
actions speak nothing of a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Instead God asks us not just to act but to be Christ followers. God doesn’t desire
a good show but pure hearts motivated by love and a relationship with Jesus Christ.
When was the last time you helped lighten someone’s burden? Gave a hungry person
some food? Clothed someone who needed clothing? Helped give someone shelter?
Shared with someone the freedom of knowing Jesus Christ? At Urban we do these
things through first Sunday and other ministries, but when was the last time you did
them outside of an organized activity. I know for me its been awhile.

As I read Isaiah 58 God brought tears to be eyes as His conviction came and I
realized I too have fallen into the motions of doing Christianity and all too often had
ceased to just be a Christ follower. The truth is if we would stop playing a Christian and
be a Christian we would see our prayers answered quickly (vs 9), we would be
protected, guided and find healing (vs 8) and we would be released in the plans and
purposes that God has for our life.

“ The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and
restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like and ever-flowing
spring. Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known
as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes...Then the Lord will be your delight. I will
give you great honor and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor
Jacob. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Isaiah 58:11-12,14

Live life extraordinary,
Alayna