The Performing Life

Some people can’t imagine getting on a stage, and some people imagine it everyday.

People are often afraid to do something in front of others, but there are people who feel called to it. For them, to perform is life. The experience of it delivers both an adrenaline high and a deep satisfaction.

Our performing years don’t last forever. We never know when our last performance will be. Thus, let us never take it for granted. Always take time to remember the beauty and power of a performing life.

The performing life is made up of divine appointments.

Every performance is a divine appointment. God knew you would be here doing this at this time, in this place. You have a purpose in this moment. This audience has come needing something only you can give them. What an amazing privilege and responsibility! Seek the Lord for what he wants to do for you and through you in this space. Make room for Him.

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. (Psalm 139:16)

Stage fright is intended to make your performance better.

Performing can be stressful. But. You are ready. You have practiced. You have prayed for this chance. Don’t listen to the voice in your head that says you can’t do it. Listen to the voice of the One who has given you this opportunity. Doing this is your dream. It is your calling. Be confident. Trust the One who has gifted you and called you. And don’t spend any energy trying to predict the outcome or wondering what’s next. You can do that later. Right now, it is your time to shine. It is your time to bring your offering to the lives of others. Embrace the moment. Do what you are called to do.

For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn. (Romans 11:29)

Embrace the Moment.

Seize the day. Make it count. Embrace the moment.

While they sound cliche, they still inspire. Life is a gift; who wants to miss any of it? If we want to experience it fully, we will need to show up - for all of it. If you are living the performing life and things are slow, discouragement can steal joy from the experiences you are having. If things are moving fast, exhaustion can set in. In both, you may, at some point, find yourself going through the motions.

Tours can be long.Traveling day after day and “being on” night after night can “get old.” Or, if there is a long space between shows, indifference has too much time to take root. These are the signs, that somewhere along the way, you stopped embracing the moment. It happens to everyone at some point - no matter how they are spending their life. What can you do? How can one get back into that space of gratitude and wonder for the opportunities they have?

Be still. Think. Pray. You got here honestly, and you can get out of it with honesty.

Don’t ignore the physical: ask God what your body and soul needs specifically for you to rise out of this “slump” you are in. Don’t ignore the emotional: ask God for discernment about this season you are in. Don’t ignore the spiritual: ask yourself, where am I in my relationship with God in these recent days?

Don’t be afraid to ask these questions. If you will embrace this hard moment, paying attention whole-heartedly, then you will come back to the place where you can embrace every moment in front of you, again.

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)