Sprit Matters:
The Actor's Conscience
by Joshua Nicholson

My friends, we’ve got a big problem. Being a part of the entertainment industry, we lose sight of a little something I like to call “servitude and humility”. We are told to be confident in what we do. Be sure of ourselves. Stand proud and show ‘em what you’ve got. There is some good in this, but there is also a whole world of bad.

Let me explain. In all aspects of the entertainment industry, there are people with egos the size of Everest. This is also true even in the church world. Worship leaders, church staff members, and even some preachers have heads that are enormously disproportionate to their bodies. This is a dreadful situation.

We as the church are supposed to be servants of the community, giving help and guidance with humility, gentleness, meekness, and kindness. We’ve got to remember that we are just people, like everyone else. (To use an old phrase: “We all put our pants on one leg at a time.”) We must remember to serve others, minister to others, and show others love.

“But, what does this have to do with entertainment?”

Take it easy, cowboy! I’m getting there.

Now, a big chunk of the nation has been caught up with American Idol. (And, before you start bashing me for talking bad about the show, know that I, too, enjoy watching the program.) If you don’t know, the premise of the show is for a “nobody” to become a big pop star and sell millions of records. There are millions of people around the nation who have this dream but will never see it come to fruition. The same is true for most of the people who want to be big-time television/movie stars.

The truth is, though, that most all of these fantasies are greedy. Why do most people want to get into the entertainment business? Fortune and glory. And, who is supposed to get all of this fortune and glory? ME! ME! ME!
This is just the opposite of what the Bible teaches us. We aren’t supposed to store up earthly treasures but those in Heaven. We are not to receive glory; we are to give it all to God. (Yeah, you remember God, don’t you? He’s the one that gave you all of these cool abilities in the first place…and the food in your belly…and the air you breathe…and everything else!)

“What are you saying, then? Are we supposed to quit the entertainment industry and start doing something else?”

Hold it there, buckaroo! Don’t jump the gun just yet. Let me explain.

God gave us all some really cool abilities. Most of the time, these abilities have nothing to do with entertainment. These are the things in which we need to focus a good chunk of our time and energy. We must also figure out (seeking God for guidance) how we can use these abilities to glorify God and spread the gospel. Remember, our main task is the Great Commission:

KJV Mark 16:15-18
15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

“But, what about the people who have the entertaining talents?!”

Okay, okay! Simmer down there, partner! (Why I keep using cowboy references I don’t know, but it’s fun, isn’t it?)

Even those whose talents are acting, singing, dancing, and the like must use them for the furtherance of the gospel. Witnessing isn’t a talent, it’s a necessity of all believers. Jesus didn’t say, “Okay, all of the people to my right, you are the ones that will talk to people about me, and everyone on the left, you’ll just go along your merry way, doing whatever it is you want with the talents I’ve given you.”

Keeping this in mind, don’t do stuff that would make people question your salvation. Pick your projects carefully. Don’t speak a bunch of filth in the songs you sing or the jokes you tell or the plays you do. Be a shining light to the world around you and never feel pressured to compromise your morals. Don’t give in to the wickedness of the world, no matter how profitable it may seem, because what seems profitable on earth will usually lead to destruction. (Remember I Timothy 6:10, it’s the love of money that is the root of all evil.)

What all of this boils down to is be a good steward of your gifts. To whom much is given, much is required. And, don’t do it for fortune and glory. Do it for God, and don’t hold back. Save souls at all costs. If you were to spend your entire life here on earth working to save one single soul, wouldn’t it still be worth it? Serve others. Be humble in what you do, accepting none of the glory for yourself, and the Lord will open the right doors for you at just the right time.

Be blessed and, more importantly, be a blessing. May God direct you along the path to victory!

 

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