“Everyone, get in position!” My director yelled. With tap-shoe cladded feet, my castmates and I clamored our way onstage. We could hear the excited murmurs of the crowd on the other side of the curtain. We, too, could barely contain ourselves. Our highly regarded theater department was known for our extravagant productions and this time would be no different. We put countless hours into rehearsals and finally, the world would get to see how we enact 42nd Street.

There, behind the curtain, we froze – in position, of course, anticipating the first notes of our opening number. The curtain was lifted, we emerged from the darkness and the lights shone on us to and fro.

A decade later, my short stint in theater is still one of my fondest memories. Whether it be a play or pageant, speaking engagement or hosting a grand event, I’ve found I truly love the stage. 

Being matured by my faith journey and life’s experiences, I shifted from the acknowledgment and understanding that not only do I love the stage, but I’ve become one.

From a young age, I was aware of the honor I had as a treasured daughter of the kingdom: to be loved by the King and to glorify Him through my life. I am to shine as a representative of truth, light and His heart everywhere I go. The Passion Translation of 1 Peter 2:9 tells us, “But you are God’s chosen treasure…He called you out of darkness to experience his marvelous light… He did this so that you would broadcast his glorious wonders throughout the world.” 

I’ve always loved that verse. I always knew I was an extension of Christ. I always understood the world was His stage but I never coined myself as such. It may just sound like a synonym but a stage – the revelation of being God’s stage – is different.

Every stage includes a front-end and a back-end but being a living embodiment of God’s stage comes with the bonus package of spiritually preparing and being positioned for the production. Bewildering events happen behind-the-scenes. Many, the audience is not privy to.

The same applies here. While I am open and transparent, there are numerous hardships you know not of. Understandably, life comes with many trials and tribulations and I’ve endured. I’ve maintained, I’ve held on, I’ve fought for years…but what about when the attacks come one after the other? What about Job-like experiences that don’t make sense? What about the circumstances that threaten to cancel the show?

You’re the one who feels the weight on the floorboards. It creaks and you groan, as if you will soon give out. So you do the only thing you can do: hold onto the promise of God. You are still in anticipation…but hesitantly. 

As I mentioned in my birthday blog post, I knew all of this hardship was the building up for my great reveal. Indeed, I was coming out from being hidden. I declared this by faith, though I did not see it before me.

I held Isaiah 40:31 in my heart, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

I remembered Galatians 6:9, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

I would actively attempt to comfort myself against sorrow, but my heart wasn’t all in (Jeremiah 8:13).

 

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It was just a month prior that I sensed that I was coming “out of the shadows, into the spotlight — no matter what that looks like.” With this declaration came even heavier hardships – ones that wore me out and made me begin to feel comfortable behind the curtain though I knew I did not belong there. I wrapped myself around and around, my mind tried to convince me I would be fine there…I wouldn’t be let down there. That it’s okay, I can hide there.

But thank God for the shifting. In the thick of what was arguably the most mentally, spiritually and emotionally exhausting period of my life, another photo of mine stirred a great reminder within me: “creation awaits.”

After recalling Romans 8:18-20, I was instantly filled. It says:

I am convinced that any suffering we endure is less than nothing compared to the magnitude of glory that is about to be unveiled within us. The entire universe is standing on tiptoe, yearning to see the unveiling of God’s glorious sons and daughters! For against its will the universe itself has had to endure the empty futility resulting from the consequences of human sin. But now, with eager expectation, all creation longs for freedom from its slavery to decay and to experience with us the wonderful freedom coming to God’s children. 

Think about the weight of that passage! As God’s glorious sons and daughters, creation awaits our big reveal! The world has already bought their tickets; they’re on tiptoe! The line has spilled out onto the streets. The show is sold out. The crowd is eager, murmuring on the other side of the curtain. 

This means that blessings are advancing in order to draw you out. The earth and all its grandeur is conspiring to elevate you. God is shedding off your rags, tearing down the curtain and revealing your royal garments.

This passage still speaks to me and everyday, my eyes are opened to something new. Confirmations through conversations, confirmations through minding my business! They come as I go about my everyday life. 

One thing I treasure most is this: there has always been a reveal. 

Since the beginning of time, God formed me in my mothers womb and intimately knew who I was. When I committed to a sincere relationship with Him, He revealed to me who I was. And now, the appointed time has come and the world will soon know who I am.

His glory will be revealed.

I’ve been training in the dark and relentlessly, positioned on purpose. I remained still, awaiting the sound of God’s instruction so that I could move on cue. And now He is the one pulling back the curtain; you’ll see Him as you see me. You’ll see all of me in His timing. 

What I felt on that cold night in November was right. And to remind myself, my word of the year is “unveiled.” 

According to Oxford Languages, to unveil is to: “remove a veil or covering from, in particular uncover (a new monument or work of art) as part of a public ceremony.” It is to show or announce publicly for the first time.”

Fitting huh?

This year, I’m excited to show the universe who I really am. The training I’ve experienced is unusual, spiritual, and raw. But it has produced art. I’ve been tested and have come out pure gold. 

I share this with you as a testament that the world is waiting on not only me, but you. Even when everything seems to go wrong and people that you expected to show up can’t. Even when it feels like your dreams died and the hopes in your hearts have been deferred, the show must go on. 

You and I are a part of the greatest show, the Lord’s best work, His center stage. The good thing about being a part of a production is that the weight falls on the producer. Your integral part is remaining in position.

You and I, fellow castmates, have put in countless hours into rehearsals and finally, the world will get to see how we enact God’s glory. Therefore, I’m committed to praying for you, because I’m fully convinced that the One who began this gracious work in you will faithfully continue the process of maturing you until the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ! (Philippians 1:6) Indeed, our unveiling leads to His.

I want to remind you that the way we suffer is because of the weight of our glorious futures (Ephesians 3:13). Therefore there is no room for weariness, no room for fainting. Generations are depending on us! Proverbs 24:10 says: “If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small.” But that verse doesn’t apply to you because you are getting stronger! You’ve put blood, sweat and tears into this performance and you’re conquering debilitating thoughts. No matter how you’re feeling, no matter what you’re going through, step out from behind the curtain and onto the stage.

Yes, we must allow the Lord to take the lead as we play the background to His grand performance but when He pushes you and tells you, “you’re on”…when you’ve become His stage, you’ll know it’s too costly to refuse the role He has casted you for.

It’s showtime. The grand reveal is here.