The King of Kings and I
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| Photo credit: Miriam C. |
Earlier this year, I was given the opportunity to be involved in my church's production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I. To be honest, I wasn't really that interested in this musical initially, which is why I didn't audition or plan to perform in it.
To my surprise, on the same week as the dress rehearsal, my mom volunteered us to do makeup for the play. Despite such short notice and my disinterest in the musical, I thought that doing the makeup would give me more opportunities to socialize, so I willingly took it on.
Despite growing up as a theatre kid for most of my life, I had never legitimately done makeup on another person before, but was determined to learn how to do it. Thankfully, I was helping someone who already had some idea what she was doing, and I have done my own makeup for plays, so the application of stage makeup was certainly not foreign to me.
It wasn't too difficult to pick up, but still, I was nervous and uncomfortable with the idea of applying makeup onto other people. Anxious thoughts crept into my mind: What if I mess up horribly? What if people think I'm incompetent?
But God taught me something through this play: when He calls me to do something, I have no reason to be afraid of it or worry that I can't do it. He will equip me to do His will. I found that when I trusted God with this task I felt led to do, there was less fear.
Of course, my makeup application was not always that great. At least once, someone had to redo makeup I had done on another person, because it didn't look good enough. Contrary to my fearful imaginings, those mistakes did not define me or weigh me down, but pushed me to do better. And, like with most things, I did get better at it with practice.
As shown in the photos in this post (photographed by Miriam, a woman from my church who was also a cast member), I eventually felt confident enough to paint some faces white for the ballet scene, Small House of Uncle Thomas. Fun fact: the makeup crew had only just a few minutes to change the ladies' makeup for this scene, so I even had to do this in a bit of a rush.
God used this musical to teach me that I could do anything He calls me to do, even if it's something I have zero experience with. In addition to that, He used it to help me experience community and help me feel like I truly belong to my church family.
As I've mentioned in other posts, I have been involved in this church in several other ways, including my involvement in two other plays, Fiddler on the Roof and Scrooge: The Musical (see my Thank You Very Much post), and also in praise band, choir, childcare...et cetera, et cetera, et cetera (I had to throw a King and I reference in here somewhere). While I was able to meet people from my church and grow closer with others through those activities, this experience was different.
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| Photo credit: Miriam C. |
In the previous church productions I was involved in, Fiddler (for short) and Scrooge, I only acted in them. Therefore, I was mostly going onstage and into the dressing room, so I tended to hang around the same groups of people. I was so busy making sure I knew my scenes, cues, lines, choreography, and costume changes, that I got into such a narrow routine, but doing only the makeup this time really changed the game for me.
For The King and I, I was always backstage, either doing someone's makeup or hanging out near the dressing rooms and prop tables. Because of this, I got to see pretty much everyone who was involved in this musical, and even crossed paths with the tech crew and security people on occasion.
Before each performance that I volunteered to help with, I would always apply makeup to quite a few actors' and actresses' faces, which gave me time to have one-on-one conversations with them. I got to practice my conversation skills, but I also got to know each person a little bit more, which was very interesting and beautiful.
By the last performance, I had even grown to really enjoy watching and hearing the musical's dialogue and music, due to all the amazing people in the cast (shout out especially to my lovely friend Hannah who played an outstanding Anna) and the bonding that occurred during each performance. Several times, when I wasn't doing someone's makeup, I danced and lip-synced backstage to some of the songs with members of the cast. We made quite a spectacle of ourselves, but in the best way possible.
Most of the cast and crew were also members of my church, so it was great to meet and talk with people I had previously only seen in passing or only knew at a very basic level. Having obtained some new genuine friendships, I went from feeling like a somewhat unknown member of the church to feeling connected, acknowledged, and appreciated at my church, within a matter of just a few weeks.
Further, God had shown me that I could be a light to others, and could serve Him and them by giving of my time, my words, and my actions as I did something as seemingly small as applying makeup. I was given the gift of receiving fellowship with other Christians, but also the gift of giving it.
I was especially hit by the blessing of this when I walked through church on a Sunday morning soon after the play, and exchanged eye contact and greetings with people who hadn't really been on my radar (or vice-versa) before this play. It was (and still is) like a whole new church experience. Even today, I feel at home there more than ever, and more connected with so many kind and fun people.
I won't go into the specifics, but I had previously had some bad experiences with some people from that church and have struggled with social anxiety, so I let myself be withdrawn there for a time. But gradually, despite my continued struggle with social anxiety, God has been helping me become more involved and more social at church. He has shown me that there are many people who will accept me and love me, but that I have to give them opportunities to do so, and I need to first give the love that I would want to receive.
The most important lesson God taught me through The King and I is this: it all starts with my relationship with and love for Him. I must first trust God, the King of kings, with what happens next. When I seek his will above all and surrender my life to Him, He relieves my fear and self-doubt, and works through me for His glory, in amazing and unexpected ways.
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| Photo credit: Miriam C. |
Bible verses related to this topic:
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. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; 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. - Romans 12:4-8 NIV
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. - 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 NIV
Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. - 2 Corinthians 3:4-5 NIV
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. - Ephesians 2:10 NIV
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13 NKJV
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. - Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV
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