This article was featured on the Christians in Theater Arts site
during the month of August 2009.
 
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 

Ephesians 2:19-21 (New International Version)
 
For those of us in theater, “the house” usually means our second home, the venue we work in at any given time. To operate well, it must be built on a good foundation, run in a wise manner and maintained in good repair. As believers in the arts during turbulent times, we play a crucial role which impacts the world around us in an eternal way. Throughout the process, however, it is crucial that we often look inside our own “houses” to ensure they, too, are ready for service to the Master Director. In 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 we are admonished to consider our bodies the residence of the Holy Spirit. These three-part homes (soul, mind and spirit) are the venue the Creator uses to appeal to those in the light and to those in the darkness. His fragrance of restoration and hope flows from every pore of our lives to draw those who are perishing and those who are being saved (2 Corinthians 2:13-15). Our physical homes will also be a reflection of our inner home or heart condition. What's in yours and what's it built on?
 
Turn back the pages of history with me to the Old Testament. Let's pick it up in Ezra chapter three just as the Israelites were granted passage by King Cyrus to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. He functioned as the executive producer of sorts for this project and commissioned them to carry out the work with his blessing, just as we have been given the Great Commission with the Lord's blessing. After arrival and roll call, the Israelite exiles made sacrifices before starting the foundation, though they were still in fear of those in the area who opposed them. They also made sacrifices for the feast of Tabernacles or Booths (shelters or temporary homes) to commemorate the Exodus from Egypt. Their intentions were good and their efforts noble. Once the foundation for the temple was completed, they celebrated with musical accompaniment, bittersweet weeping and joy which were heard for miles. This was one grateful orchestra and crew who understood what the foundation meant for the nation. Soon, however, opposition came against the project. It came from those who didn't believe in what the exiles wanted to do in order to regain God's protection and favor. It is an interesting parallel to our present day circumstances as artists and as believers in this nation.
 
Fortunately the construction resumed and the temple was completed by the workmen and artisans. They again took part in a ritual cleansing before celebrating the Passover. They comprehended the necessity of maintaining the outward practices, though they overlooked some vital issues. Everything was supplied for the job, the leadership, crew and location were secured and the venue for God's work was ready. Now the preparations could be made for the most important part of all: the actual practices and worship within the Holy Temple.
 
Enter Ezra in chapter seven. He was a priest and well-respected teacher of God's law who was given a very nice set of departure gifts and provisions for the new House of the Lord by King Artaxerxes. God was blessing this effort in every way and gave Ezra authority in the region. Ezra wisely initiated a prayerful fast and requested military protection. The king granted the protection and Ezra traveled to Jerusalem strengthened, focused and safeguarded. Once he arrived, more joy and sacrifices were offered in praise and thanksgiving to God for His provision. It seemed that things couldn't be better. You know what they say about appearances, though.
 
The not-so-small snag was that some key Israelites had let down their guard. Spiritual cracks had formed in this “foundation” of the house of Israel. Ezra found out that the Israelites had intermarried with foreigners, which was strictly forbidden by the Almighty One. What was worse, the leaders and officials had led the way by sinful example. Ezra immediately understood that God had graciously provided in spite of this great sin and, after he recovered from the shock, prepared to clean Israel's spiritual house by implementing a new production plan: Repentance and Recommitment for Restoration and Revival. Simple obedience would be required in order to be set apart and effective. This would pave the way for the cup-bearer turned governor Nehemiah to successfully continue the work of rebuilding the city after he, too, took some time to repent and pray. All the sacrifices the Israelites had made were no substitute for obedience (1 Samuel 15:21-23).
 
As a result of these events, the temple stood unprotected until the walls were completed, much like we become if we invite the enemy in by not safeguarding our hearts and lives. Those of us in ministry know the enemy wants to disable God's work in us and through us in any way possible. The saboteur will try to damage our personal lives, misguide our stewardship, and trip up our creativity or discount our leadership. He also knows we can call on our Defender at a moment's notice, though, so he tries to distract us from the Truth any way he can. We have the high calling to ensure that our hearts and homes are built on the strong foundation of the Word and are in the best order possible for the King if we are to face the challenge of creating for His glory during this time in history. In these days of intense opposition and an all-out assault on the moral values given by Master Architect Himself, may He fortify our foundations and cleanse our homes for His use. Take courage and strengthen your stance on the Rock of Ages who is our High Priest. Ask Him to build up those healthy, protective walls of your heart and home with the knowledge and practice of His Sacred Script, fellow colleagues in the arts. He will fill both your personal house and the one you are working in with His heavenly light and presence. The show must and will go on until He calls us home after the final curtain is drawn on sin once and for all. And I believe our heavenly home and His kingdom here will be places that allow for much creative expression. After all He gave us the gifts we have and loves variety! Think about it: what if this life is a dress rehearsal for how we will worship Him in eternity?
 
Standing by with you,
Selah the Scribe