I was a pretty shy kid. I had a few close friends, but when it came to speaking or performing in public, I would much rather opt for a behind-the-scenes assignment. One time in the 6th grade, I even cried during class because I had to give a presentation in language arts. Over the next two years, however, a pair of teachers did something remarkable for me, which I credit to this day as key turning points in my life.

First of all, that language arts teacher gave me her confidence when I had very little of my own. She didn’t let me give up when all I wanted to do was crawl under a table and hide. She saw potential in me and told me so. The second teacher encouraged me to try out for the school play in the 7th grade. I made it through auditions tear-free, and I was cast in a supporting role. The following year, confidence beginning to brew, I tried out for another play, and I was cast in a lead role! I still remember that language arts teacher hugging me after the play and saying with a big grin, “Is this the same little girl who cried in my class?”

We each have a role to play in life. Some of us may be behind the curtain, and others will be front and center. Very few of us will become famous, but the roles that we perform are still vitally important to the story. Consider the words of 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (CEB):

Look at your situation when you were called, brothers and sisters! By ordinary human standards not many were wise, not many were powerful, not many were from the upper class. But God chose what the world considers foolish to shame the wise. God chose what the world considers weak to shame the strong. And God chose what the world considers low-class and low-life—what is considered to be nothing—to reduce what is considered to be something to nothing. So no human being can brag in God’s presence.

God has issued a casting call, and he invites us to join him. It’s ok that you don’t have your lines memorized or even know the difference between stage right and stage left. He wants open hearts that will rely on the Director to guide them. Are you willing to entrust him with your next steps?