The Leading Lady

Woman peeking through theatre curtains

“What e’er thou art, act well thy part.” -Shakespeare

“Saw Cinderella in a party dress, but she was looking for a night gown.  I saw the devil wrapping up his hands, he’s getting ready for the showdown.” -Dustland Fairytale, The Killers

“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time,…thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” -Esther 4:14

I know that many of us women are fighting to know what God’s specific intent for our lives is.  We have this deep question burning in our hearts, so deep sometimes, that we aren’t even asking it consciously most of the time.  Our question is this: “Am I living out God’s true purpose for my time here on earth?”  I really believe that all women of God ask this question of themselves.  Let’s try to put ourselves on the path to answering this most important question.

It may help to look at our lives as a dramatic play, or movie.  Seen in this light, we can look at our life in three stages;  the audition, the rehearsals, and the performance.  I have great news for you: you’ve already landed the leading role.  You have been chosen as the most suitable and capable woman for the role.  So you can stop auditioning now! You don’t need to prove yourself worthy of the part.  So relax.

Rehearsals come next.  In finding God’s purpose for our lives, it’s useful to think about what He wants

  • from all people, universally
  • from women specifically
  • from you as the lead role, the part that uses all of your talents, passions, and unique personality.  The thing that only you can do.

Rehearsals are from birth to adulthood, and this is when we learn what God wants from each human being.  Universal values like honesty, compassion, obedience, love, unselfishness, forgiveness, kindness.  This is not to say that we are perfect in these qualities, that will be a lifetime and beyond pursuit.  But that we know what they are and we understand them.

Next week I’ll say more about how we can know what God wants from women specifically…

As we enter womanhood and step out onto the stage, there is a bit of stage fright, as we try to simultaneously figure out what it means to be a woman, and what God’s plans for our specific lives are.  This is natural, and also part of the plan.  What we need to do here is rely on God and trust Him.  He is the great Director.  Better than Spielberg.  But we need to talk to Him in order to know what He wants from us in this scene!  End the confusion, and go to Him, talk to Him, He is excited to tell you what you can do to make this play a success. He can’t wait to see what kind of passion, vulnerability, strength, emotion, and love you are going to bring into this role he has created for you!  Your trust in Him, and His intention for your role,  will let you light up the whole stage, even the darkest corners.

And those of us who don’t know what our role even is?  This is natural, and also part of the plan.  Here are some questions for you to take to God.  His answers will lead you as you walk on the stage.  You and He will figure it out together.

  1. “What battle can I fight for you, my loving Father?”
  2. “What are my talents? What are my passions? Why did you give me these, God?  What good thing can I do with them to bring other people to you?”
  3. “What are my responsibilities right now that cannot be given away?  Do I need to first focus on these?  What are my existing roles that need Your insight, light, and love, God?”
  4. “What is my first step?”

These should get us going in the right direction, but ONLY with God’s direction.  Remember, he’s better than Spielberg.  As I mentioned, next week we’ll go into God’s special love for and purpose for women.  In the meantime, beautiful angel soldiers, there is a war to win.  Every woman is needed.

“Now Cinderella don’t you go to sleep!  It’s such a bitter form of refuge.  Well don’t you know the kingdom’s under siege, and everybody needs you?” -Dustland Fairytale

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.  I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus.” -1 Timothy 6:12-13

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