“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”  Psalm 139:14

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  Ephesians 2:10

” ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’ ” Jeremiah 29:11

The verses above are personal favorites.  One of them has only recently become a favorite.  I spent many years doubting that I was “fearfully and wonderfully made” but that is a story for another time.  Maybe.  These verses are only a few of the scriptural references that state each human being is here with a specific purpose included in their design.

So why do we look at some passions and discount their value as a part of one’s God-given design?  Why do we buy into the belief that some parts of our “design” are somehow less honorable than others?

It’s no secret that I love the theater.  I mean, I LOVE the theater.  I am on the board of a local community theater and had a committee meeting this past week at the theater.  Most of us got there a little early and watched the rehearsal for the next show on the calendar.  I got a thrill just from watching the theatrical process at work.  Yes, I’m such a theater geek that I get jazzed just watching a show in rehearsal!  I told my husband later “I felt like I was home.”  The crazy thing is, I’ve never actually been on-stage in that particular theater!

My passion for musical theater was placed in me on purpose and with a purpose.  I am in a city that had very little for teens who were interested in musical theater.  The high schools do a musical each Spring and the community theater I mentioned before does a show around Christmas time for teens and kids.  But that’s it.  I am blessed to be a part of a church that has chosen to provide space for a youth theater every summer and fill a need in this community.  We give teens another theatrical experience to participate in and I’m thrilled to get to be a part of it!

A few years ago, someone (a fellow believer) asked me when I was going to “grow up and stop all this theater ‘nonsense’ “.  I don’t remember exactly how I answered but I VIVIDLY remember how I felt.  Ashamed, frivolous, shallow . . . I took this person’s words to heart and I shouldn’t have.  I’ve gotten beyond that now thanks to wonderfully supportive friends and my hubby who is my biggest fan.

I will never choose to give up my “theater nonsense”.  It’s as much a part of my design as my eye color.  God gave me the passion for a purpose and I intend to keep using it until He says otherwise.

I make this promise to my fellow Jesus-followers:  when I see you at work in an area of passion, I will celebrate your design with you, pray for your impact in your little corner of the community and cheer you on (even if I don’t fully understand why that particular activity interests you!).  After all, I could never do the work you are  doing or touch the hearts that you are touching so I need you right where you are doing exactly what you are doing!