Life is a stage, I sometimes like to say. But I now think life is a theatre. Some people are actors, some are spectators. Actors take the stage, of course. Spectators watch, jeer, cheer and in all, appreciate the actors based on their roles. No matter what you think of an actor, and how better you feel you would do, you have to get to the stage first. Stages are raised or at best special platforms for specified people. You do not go there of your own accord; you have got to be invited, or at best worthy to be there. So, no doubt you are in a big theatre; are you on the stage or in the pew? Oh the stage is usually not big for everyone at the same time; but we can all take the stage at different times. This piece is to encourage you to wait for your time, and when you take the floor, do take your time.
A few times, I have been opportune to speak to a group of people. Usually I have been informed ahead and given an opportunity to prepare ahead. Apart from being aware of the topic I would speak on, I am also told the time allotted to me. Life is like that. You came to this world for a purpose. As a child of God, you have a script to act in the ever-unfolding drama of God’s agenda for creation. You are one day supposed to take your turn on the very stage where several key men in God’s kingdom have been. Once upon a time, Abraham was on stage. Then Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Samson, Jephtah, David, Nehemiah, Daniel, Esther … the list goes on; Jesus, Peter, John, James, Paul… and in contemporary times, you know them who were on stage at their own time. So, you as a son of the kingdom have been predestinated to the stage. Paul said in Romans 8 (verse 19) that creation eagerly awaits our manifestation. In other words, creation eagerly wants us on stage. But we must wait to be invited; we must wait for our time. Paul further said in verse 30 that ‘whom He predestinated; these He also called, these He also justified, these He also glorified’. To be glorified is to be on stage, and if God has predestined you for glory, no one- nothing- can work against you. (Romans 8:31, paraphrased). So just wait for your time.
Abraham was living a quiet life, advanced in age when he was called up to the stage. Joseph lived seventeen years dreaming of the stage, and another thirteen years as a slave, before he was called up. David wandered through the wilderness keeping sheep. He was anointed for the stage several years before he got a call up. The timetable is in God’s hands; but He gave each of us the script. While you wait, why not prepare? Work on yourself and master the role. This is the challenge for every son of God that awaits his manifestation. God would rather keep you offstage than have you messed up onstage. ‘Study to show yourself approved...’ Paul told Timothy. You cannot ‘doctor’ the script; you can master the script. Jeremiah was called up and he complained of being too young; God challenged him to take courage. Moses said he stammered, God gave him an Aaron. When your time comes, no excuse from you will change the script; you will have to rise up to the challenge.
At some other times, I get an impromptu call to address people or situations. If it is a gathering, I always want to know how much time I am to use on stage. First, let me say that sometimes, life could place you in an ‘impromptu’ situation where you get called up on stage. Do not think you are ill-prepared. You see, the people who called you up, believed in you. So long you did not push yourself on them, relax and take the floor. Only, as I often do, be polite enough to know how long you have to be on stage. Now, why am I emphasizing the issue of time? Wait for your time, and then take your time- while on stage. Jesus waited many, many years to be on earth. Prophets after prophets have come and prophesied his coming; that did not push Him to come ahead of His time. And when He did come, He waited thirty years and manifested three years, and left. It is amazing; that Jesus was only going to spend three years of active performance on stage- with all those prophesies and Jewish expectations? No wonder many Jews believe their Saviour is yet to come. Three years? But it was enough to make an eternal impact! See, it is not how long you stay on stage; it is what impact you make on stage. Many years after David left the stage, reference was still being made to his exploits. It is such an uncommon gift for actors on the stage of life to know when to leave the stage. Yet we should not rush out of the stage. Oh no, do not rush out; you have waited all your life (or eternity, even) for it. Use your time completely, come on. You do not get off the stage to remember what you should have done or said. Take your time on stage; the floor is yours for the time being.
Are you on stage? Use your time. Are you yet to be on stage? In the meantime, master the script. See you when you get there.
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