Have you ever doubted the role to which God has assigned you? Read Philippians 1:6 and think again.

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?

Is there a mistake that you’ve been sulking over (whether your own or one directed at you)? What steps can you take today toward a remedy?

When our pride gets the best of us, we can lapse into a do-it-myself attitude. How could that mindset hinder your spiritual walk?

Is there something you are struggling with that seems beyond repair? Maybe talk to an accountability partner or your Life group for insight.

God wants us to have an attitude of humility, but that doesn’t mean we are to be humiliated. Don’t be a doormat; take a stand when needed.

How might your day-to-day life look different if you behaved in a manner that was free of pride?

I startled myself awake at 4-something a.m. from a very realistic dream where I was off-roading down an embankment. I know the intersection where the dream happened, though it didn’t look exactly the same in my nightmare. In the dream, I was driving at night and took the exit ramp. I even remember seeing the Exit sign with road names and arrows. Once I exited, however, my windshield clouded over like a combination of torrential rain and fog.

What little glimpses I could see of the road reflectors had turned red instead of yellow, which made me think that somehow I was going the wrong direction. I tried putting my foot on the brake and pulling over, but then I had the sensation that my seat suddenly reclined, and I could no longer even see out the windshield. I kept trying to brake and could tell that I had driven off the asphalt onto grass and rocks. The car was careening downhill and didn’t seem to be stopping. I wanted to scream, but no sound would come out of my mouth, and my throat felt terribly dry.

When I finally jerked my eyes open, my voice was rasping, “Help,” and my foot was pressing into the mattress. (I guess I was “braking.”) My throat was parched, so I got up to sip some water and then tried to doze again for a little while longer until my alarm went off. What a freaky, unpleasant way to start the day.

I mentioned bits of the dream to a friend at work, and she suggested that maybe I feel out of control lately, which is not untrue. I’ve felt out of control for years, but this past year has definitely been challenging, in that regard. Perhaps God is trying to remind me to “live by faith and not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7, CEB). If I had my druthers, though, I’d prefer that he write messages in the clouds than tell me via nightmares. 🙂

Why are some traits, such as meekness & gentleness, often viewed as weakness? What are some downsides to trying to be “strong” all the time?

When you encounter obstacles in your daily life, do you let them paralyze you? What would it take to let God move you past the hurdles?