It’s been a while now since I am out of tune. It comes more often than expected. I always have this desire and eagerness to play my role as an individual; a doting father and husband, leading from the front – not from the sideline. Then also play my role as expected of me, as a person or member, in a collective group I have participated.
Whoa! …wait…calm down boy, I don’t know if this is the way to start a New Year!
I have made New Year resolutions many times – sometimes I wrote them down in my diaries, in a bookmark I would carry everywhere. And yes, it matters a lot when I look back, some are fulfilled – solved a few problems, moving forward, and some were simply better than in the trash bin.
In this new year 2023, I wanted to play myself, and enjoy myself while playing my role to the extent I could fulfill. I wanted to have that level of contentment achieving it with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Now, imagine playing yourself in a show or movie, I don’t think that would be hard although I never did that. Being ourselves or being yourself as a man or woman would if we could all do that how happy we could be. But keeping up with the expectations of others while also fulfilling our role is sometimes becoming an arduous task for us.
Playing my Role; Being me:
We all have different functions and abilities but we all belong to each other. All members of the family, church, and society in a smaller version are knitted together to form one body. When we all play our role in the process, the fruit is seen first among us and then by others.
So, my inspiration for this year comes from Romans 12:4-8 in the Bible. I do not know what year will bring but I want to play my role successfully wherever needed although sometimes my mobility, participation, and thinking prowess may be limited due to my chronic disorder.
I will be super-happy if I could play my role successfully, being me, not withdrawing, but being here. I wanted to play my role for my family as a father, husband, son, brother, and so on.
For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ, we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. I will try to be myself doing my best for Christ in his grace.
Truly speaking, I don’t even have an iota of myself to present to God as an offering. However, I must not try to own my life but present it to him as a living sacrifice.
Playing Yourselves:
There is beauty of it in life and living peaceably with each other. You don’t need to change; the will to be together is enough. We do not have the same function with different gifts but we are one body in Christ. Let us read: You will find yourself somewhere here with your gift.
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying (not necessarily fore-telling), then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve (practical ministry); if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. (with my emphasis added) Romans 12:6-8
Playing Ourselves:
I don’t know yet where and how would we be in the coming days. However, it is my wish that we play our role as we’re supposed to be in the abiding grace of God. And, that too in a recognizable way. But far more important would be silently playing our role as intended by our savior. Then, our accolades would await us in heaven, not here. I would prefer the accolades treasured for me and you.
Yes, without the Holy Spirit we lack the poise, to get the correct angle and posture. Let the Holy Spirit guides us in our way of narrating our lines, delivering our lines, and listening to advise, in acting it out as we play our role for the kingdom of God.
May God take care of you where you are. I wish you success in your God-oriented role! And let us meet again to encourage, wish and greet again in years to come!
With this note in mind, I wish you a Happy and Prosperous New year 2023!
God bless you all!
