Audience of One
Our youngest son Samuel has a few passions. One of those passions is “Star Wars”. It’s not uncommon to find Samuel pretending to be Luke Skywalker with his sister and friends in tow. Samuel and his friends love to have their light sabers attached to their belt loops as they run all around the house. Thanks to my six year old son, Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader have never been in such daunting situations.
Yesterday, while the children were playing in our bonus room, Samuel decided to try to copy a move he once saw Luke Skywalker make, a forward flip in the air with light saber in hand. What he ended up doing was a forward flop in the air, landing on his light saber with his head. He performed this stunt in front of an audience of six-year-olds and eight-year-olds. He bled quite a bit, but thankfully, he didn’t need stitches.
What he did do was learn a valuable lesson…he is no Luke Skywalker.
It reminded me of a Bible study I did with my teenage daughter Meghan and her girlfriend this summer.The question posed stuck with me. “If you were living your life on a stage, who would be in your audience?”
I can tell you who is often in my own audience. From time to time it’s my husband Paul. Often times, it’s friends, family, neighbors, and people at church I’m up onstage for.
As Christians we should only be concerned about playing in front of an audience of one.
Jesus is sitting in the front row waiting to give each one of us a standing ovation. He is watching us front and center, waiting to cheer us on. He loves us so. As adults we can fall into the same traps that our children fall into…trying to impress people.
It took a light saber and my adorable mini-Luke Skywalker, to remind me that there are no repeat performances in life. I’m going to make sure today that I’m living my life for an audience of one.
I want that standing ovation.
…and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20
Lord, forgive me for keeping my eyes on others and their responses. Help me to keep my eyes focused on you, and remind me through your word and your gentle nudgings, that you are the only audience I’m standing before of each day. Give me ears so I can hear you clapping for me.
Powerfully awesome post.
Amen to that, Joanne. I too often crave the applause from others. Thank you for the reminder to keep our eyes focused on Him.
I have a little Luke Skywalker too….I had never quite invisioned his antics that way before – what an awesome reminder 🙂
Oh Joanne,
Amazing wisdom.
As Christians we should only be concerned about playing in front of an audience of one.
Jesus is sitting in the front row waiting to give each one of us a standing ovation. He is watching us front and center, waiting to cheer us on. He loves us so. As adults we can fall into the same traps that our children fall into…trying to impress people.
Amen.. Amen. And Thank you.
As a gal who has struggled with performance issues, I need this constant reminder, the only audience I’m in front of is that all important audience of one.
Thanks for this, Joanne!