THE LEAD ROLE
I’m as guilty as the next person, I’ll admit it, but that doesn’t make it right. Everyone enjoys an escape of the mind, a mental mini-vacation of sorts. I caught myself doing it last night. My wife isn’t as guilty as me, she just falls asleep when she sits in front of the TV at night.
I watch not just the actors and actresses, I look for detail, the architecture of the settings, the ceilings, doors, trim, base, and floors etc. I consider the storyline, the writer’s perspective and performance along with the actors and actresses. We become engrossed in the human drama of a fictional story, on-screen or in print… and it consumes us.
That’s probably not a bad thing once in a while, but like all things if not tempered in moderation it becomes a weapon used silently against us. Right at the climax of the movie last night it hit me: What about my human drama? What about my story? And I don’t mean the fictional one I’m writing presently. I mean the story of my life.
My wife sleeping through the climax next to me, my daughters, two of them in their rooms close by. We have real human drama daily, we have struggles. Every single person I know has the lead role as the protagonist in the story of their life. To round out the story we are never short of an antagonist in this fallen world.
We are pressed yet we persevere. We are pushed down, yet we get back up to stand in the face of antagonists. We need not pretend as a child… we have been prepared to play the role we choose to play. We can play the victim or villain – it is our choice. We get to be whatever we want – just like we did as kids using our imagination. We can choose to be the heel or the hero – it is a decision we have the authority to make.
The gift of free will allows us to choose the story of our lives. It is up to us how we want the plot to unravel. There will be twists to the plot – there always is, but that’s what makes the story interesting. That’s what makes it worth telling. The best part of any story is how the lead character reacts to adversity, then proceeds while dealing with the trouble, never backing down or admitting defeat.
The story of our lives is how we react to the human drama of life. How we believe or Who we put our trust in will determine if we’re either the hero or the villain in the stories of our lives. Each of us has a story and each of us gets to choose our roles. Even as a kid I always wanted to be the good guy, the hero… Because in the end it’s always the same… good triumphs over evil.
I’m a little weary from the battle scene… I can tell you this; by the time my denouement comes…
I’ll be ready…
But for now – I gotta go slay a few more dragons…
Diane
Friday, June 8, 2012 @ 6:22 am
….sigh…
You write to persuasively, Floyd…
Truly…this is a great piece. Love it!
Floyd
Friday, June 8, 2012 @ 9:09 am
Thanks Diane. I appreciate your time and encouragement, it means more than you know.
Dan Black
Friday, June 8, 2012 @ 12:18 pm
I think often people overlook their own story because of being consumed in the media/TV shows.
God gives us the choice to live out our story or to be apart of the norm. I chose to live out my story.
Floyd
Friday, June 8, 2012 @ 3:57 pm
I hear you Dan, I know for sure you do. It is easy to get sidetracked sometimes.
Daphne
Friday, June 8, 2012 @ 1:51 pm
I too am battle weary, but your words have encouraged me. They have reminded me I am not a victim in a series of unfortunate events, but the victor in a story penned by the author and finisher of my faith. Thank you
Floyd
Friday, June 8, 2012 @ 4:12 pm
Wow! That was amazingly said Daphne! Those lines alone could pick anyone up, I’m grateful is was me… Thanks for stopping by and adding so much more than expected.
Jay Cookingham
Friday, June 8, 2012 @ 1:54 pm
We have been offered a lead role my brother, as you have so powerfully written here. Thanks Brother!
Floyd
Friday, June 8, 2012 @ 5:26 pm
Thanks Jay. Now if I could just remember my lines…
Hazel Moon
Friday, June 8, 2012 @ 6:14 pm
We do tend to get involved in some stories more than others. We prefer to see ourselves as the hero and not the bad guy. I had a friend who would turn off the movie just before it got to the end and that way he could make up his own ending. Personally I thought that was a dumb idea. I always wanted to see how the story ended according to the author.
The story of our life is another thing. We do not know exactly how it will end, but we can cast ourselves in the best of roles. God is the director and He will not let us down.
Floyd
Friday, June 8, 2012 @ 6:22 pm
Excellent point Hazel. God is the great director of all things. It’s an honor to play the role He’s laid out for us. Thanks for the insight!
Danelle
Friday, June 8, 2012 @ 7:38 pm
I am thinking that dragons are absolutely no match for you Floyd! No match at all my friend!
Loved this post.
Floyd
Saturday, June 9, 2012 @ 4:58 am
Thanks Danelle. After one loses so many battles to the dragons, one learns to adapt!
Jennifer@GDWJ
Saturday, June 9, 2012 @ 9:39 am
GREAT ending, Floyd. Makes me want to pick up my sword. 🙂
Floyd
Saturday, June 9, 2012 @ 11:09 am
Thanks Jennifer. It is a battle isn’t it? I think most of us, me for sure, forget to remember that He is the one who leads and protects us in the roles of our lives. The twists and turns of our plot just seem to increase when we forget.
Lisa notes
Sunday, June 10, 2012 @ 12:39 pm
Love this. It’s exactly what we were trying to say to our girls in our teen Bible class this spring. We’re all part of the story, and much of it is within our own choice. May we use our freedom to play our roles well to the glory of the Author of it all. You’re doing your part, Floyd! Thanks.
Floyd
Sunday, June 10, 2012 @ 12:48 pm
Thanks Lisa. Our roles are designed for that purpose. I know for sure you’re doing your part in a big way. Your heart for kids is encouraging and inspiring.
Betty Draper
Sunday, June 10, 2012 @ 6:55 pm
Encouraging reminder Floyd…keep preaching it my brother.
Floyd
Sunday, June 10, 2012 @ 8:16 pm
Thank you Betty. You and me. Yes we will. Thanks for all the encouragement, I know for sure, you my sister will keep preaching and leading the way…
Nancy
Sunday, June 10, 2012 @ 8:46 pm
My husband, Randy , is a detail person also…especially when it comes to war movies!
I have to admit that so many of the battles we fight are in the mind. They start there. I’m thinking that’s why we so desperately need the mind of Christ. His perspective is really all that matters. The mind cannot do without being continually renewed so it stays on track!
Our wants and desires, our actions or reactions are either governed by one of two thought-types: how WE think it should be, or how God says it should be. You are right, our choices bring interesting outcomes. I thank God that HE helps me will and do of HIS good pleasure. I know the Holy Spirit has my back. It is HE who helps me fight the good fight of faith. ( a good fight….. is one where we win!)
Floyd
Monday, June 11, 2012 @ 7:52 am
I hear you Nancy. I always like to say that “I get in the way of myself.” The truth is I get in the way of what God’s calling is for my life… it never seems to work too well when I try to use my will against the Father of the cosmos! Some of us are just slower learners I guess…