Acting In Faith: Being Present In The Moment

I’m halfway through the performance schedule of Dial “M” for Murder at Hanover Tavern, one of the premiere professional theaters in central Virginia. I was a theater major freshman year of college and I’m finally acting in my first professional play. A good show is about both the performers and the audience being present in the moment.

The Stage at Hanover Tavern. Being Present in the Moment

My first professional performing job was six days a week, with Monday off. I was 19 and performing a one man show nearly 100 times a week in an amusement park.

Now I’m performing professionally six days a week, with Monday off. I’m 58 and next week I’ll have six performances and two rehearsals in six days.

It’s a wonderful, enjoyable experience, night after night. (And two matinees this week since we don’t have a show Easter Sunday.)

Professional actors strive to be real – to recognize authentic emotions within the words of the script and then attempt to reproduce those emotions in ways viewers recognize and respond to: we hope to make the audience feel something.

“You might talk. And I might listen. And miracles might happen.” – is attributed to Hemingway.

Someone talks, someone listens, and in those moments, miracles might happen, while 145 people pay to witness it.

Like dancers and musicians, we strive to create moments that are authentic and true. Memorable in the minds of audiences, but as fleeting and ephemeral as bubbles.

If we do our jobs well, we create a place where there is no past or future, just the eternal now as we give the story life and bring the audience with us.

Our spiritual lives should be like this – being present in the moment.

As actors we intentionally string together moments to create an interesting and entertaining experience for the audience.

When we are active in our spiritual lives, we string together intentional moments to live interesting and enriching lives.

Joy and equanimity can be found in every aspect of our lives when we are mindful, when we are as present as possible moving from moment to moment.

I’m not talking about the performative nature of too many non-denominational worship services, where “giving God the glory,” looks a lot like cheering for the praise band’s performance.

I mean living with intention and purpose and being aware and present during conversations with others. Our conversations with ourselves, our “inner monologue,” should focus on right now and avoid recriminations about the past or ominous worries about the future.

For God, the Creator of the heavens and Earth, there is no past or future, only the present moment. This moment as the shining sun slowly makes its way across the afternoon sky and the birds celebrate.

This moment, as I wait in the dressing room between performances. This moment, as you read this.

Experience and appreciate each moment fully and miracles might happen.