July 12th, 2016

I know I haven’t shared with you previously that I have recently become involved with modelling and acting for television commercials.  It is not something I ever intended to do and it has taken me so far out of my comfort zone that I know that it could only be God Who has lead me there.

I originally took on the training for experience to better my skills in public speaking, but as I got into it, I rather enjoyed my classes.  I found myself in a classroom with tweens, teens and twenty-somethings and then there was me…considerably older as you can tell from my gray hair.  It was delightful to be among all that energy and nervousness as we entered into new adventures, learning about the runway walk and how to go to auditions and perform on camera.  I have since done more intensive acting workshops where we have had to perform monologues and television commercials on camera and watch the playback and receive critiquing.  That is so humbling, I can tell you.  The camera picks up every minor twitch and gesture that you never though anyone saw you do.   It lays you bare before all to see.

In doing all of this, I have realized that God has taken me on an adventure that I did not ask to travel, but am grateful that he did.  I have gained a great deal of confidence in the person He Created me to be.  I do not have to make excuses about myself all the time.  I have something valuable to offer through God to other people.  After all, that is what we are here for-other people; to help and serve others and by so doing, enhance our own lives.

I was reading an excerpt from Max Lucado’s “You Can Rest Now” yesterday regarding Grace.  He talked about not having to do it all yourself and that God has your back.  It made me think of the couple of auditions that I have had over the last two weeks.  When I got the call to go to the first one, I was so nervous I was vibrating and could not put a thought together.  I stopped immediately and Prayed.  I told God that I knew He had put me where I was with this opportunity for a reason beyond my understanding, but I also knew that I could not accomplish anything in this regard without His backing and Ability.  It was not about me, but all about Him.  Whatever I was about to do was about His Favour so I also needed Him to have my back for the whole adventure.  This included getting me safely to and from Toronto (with traffic, a four hour drive), the proper procedures for signing in and performing the audition.  

I also had to roll the whole of the care of it onto Him, not just part of it and not take it back when the traffic got heavy and it looked like I might be late.  I had to realize that this was an opportunity for experience, not necessarily an actual job.  I was growing as a person and as a model/talent.  I might have what the casting director wanted for this particular project or I may not, but I was laying foundation for future requests for auditions and possible jobs.  Every project has particular requirements and I might be a little younger or older or slimmer than what the director had in mind for this particular commercial.  I do have to do the fundamentals required of me, take direction well and put my best effort into what is asked of me in the audition, but some aspects are beyond my control and that is okay.   It does not reflect poorly on me as an individual if I do not get the job.  I am just doing what God put before me to do.  Who knows what effect my presence at the audition had on someone else?   Perhaps that is the reason I was to be there.

So, now I ask you, what is the last thing that God asked you to do? Did you discount it as too beyond your capabilities?    Is it something that you would have though t totally ridiculous a year ago?  Did it put you completely out of your comfort zone?  Would you have to rely on Him totally to accomplish it? 
May I suggest that you go before God and ask Him what He wants to do with your life and then be willing to set out of the boat and walk on water, keeping your eyes on Jesus the whole way, not letting your eyes get onto the wind and the waves around you, and keep on walking on the water until He places you on dry land again. If you allow Him to be with you all the way, you can Do it!