Theo-drama
by Chelsea Pietsch
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‘Aeneas,’ Peter said to him, ‘Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your mat’. Immediately Aeneas got up (Acts 9:34).
When I read this passage, I am struck by the power and authority granted by God to the Apostle Peter. Fancy being able to command a paralysed man to walk?! That is a miracle beyond what I am capable of doing.
I note that I am not alone. The other people mentioned in this text were not given the same gifts or calling as Peter. Neither Aeneas, Tabitha, nor Simon the tanner had his power to heal. This is true, irrespective of their faith or discipleship.
It is a mystery to us why God assigns different gifts and callings to different people. Why did it have to be Aeneas and Tabitha who needed healing and not Peter? Why did Peter get to be the one to save the day?
The reality is that it wasn’t up to Peter, Aeneas, Tabitha or Simon, nor is it up to ourselves. God is the creator of this universe, and we are his creatures. He invites us to be a part of a cosmic drama. We are not the creator or director but the actors. And the gifts assigned to us are not always the ones we’d choose for ourselves.
We can’t always see where things are heading, nor how the play will ultimately resolve. But we can trust our director. We can trust that no matter what contours, climaxes and lulls may be embedded in the drama, God works for the good of those who love him. We have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
We need not be worried whether or not we play a ‘leading role’. But what is that anyway? As the Scriptures reveal to us time and time again, sometimes the seemingly smaller parts in God’s cosmic drama turn out to be more central than we’d perhaps ever anticipate.
Dear Lord, I surrender to you my life and vision. I trust in your direction. Lead on! Amen.
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