The Opening Act

Cont'd from page 3

By God’s leave, I ended up choosing to go into Early Childhood Education. I love children so I jumped in head first. I now work with children of all ages and I absolutely, by God’s Grace, love what I do. It’s tiring and exhausting but it’s beautiful and rewarding and I have discovered that there are few things in this world that are as incredible as a meaningful interaction with a child.

Nowadays, when I see a young actor on screen who is being celebrated for their work, I miss the feeling of other people watching my work and commending me on a job well done. That’s the thing in acting, everybody’s watching, everybody knows what you’re doing. There is no glamour in childcare. But I hold onto the realization that acting is for this life, but childcare is for the Hereafter.

[6:32] The life of this world is no more than illusion and vanity, while the abode of the Hereafter is far better for the righteous. Do you not understand?!

And this is my next big lesson that I have learned along the way: It shouldn’t matter that few people really care what I did today at work or are actually interested in the interactions and incredibly funny and soulful conversations I have with my group of kids; it matters that God knows. It matters that God knows when a parent thanks me for being a positive part of their child’s life.

It matters that God knows when I can console a child and relate to him or her and tell them that they are not alone. It matters that God knows that sometimes I have to be the caring adult in a child’s life when that child doesn’t have another adult to go to.

In a day and age when our entire lives are available to others online through the use of social media, we often feel a pressure to let everyone know the awesome things we get up to, but it’s important to remind ourselves that it’s really actually only important that God knows.

[16:19] And GOD knows whatever you conceal and whatever you declare.

Another big thing that I have learned is that I am a completely different person now, by God’s Grace, than I was two years ago. At the time, I didn’t know if acting was right for me, but I just had to trust God and He led me to find something that truly fulfills me. But having grown and become a little more knowledgeable, I can also very much recognize that it’s not acting that is right or wrong, it’s the choices that you as a person make. Again, let me re-emphasize that it is not my intention to say that it is wrong being an actor. The movie industry has its good and bad just like every other industry in the world. I personally love movies. They’re a huge source of entertainment and can be a blessing from God. We just need to be able to find out where we fit in to these industries. Because wherever we are, or whatever job we’re in, we have to submit and pray that God will guide us through it.

I would love to act again, and if God wills that to be something in my future, then, God willing, I will be able to approach it in a completely different mindset.

This time not with the intention of needing to make it, or needing to do whatever I’m asked of, or needing the attention and the glamour of it all, but knowing that I love acting for what it is, knowing that I don’t need to compromise who I am and what I believe in for my work, knowing that I can be comfortable and figure it out. We’re always changing, and particularly as Submitters, by God’s Grace, we’re always striving to grow, to progress, to persevere. I trust that as long as I hold fast to God and keep the faith,  with sincerity, love and hope, God will guide me to the right answer.

[33:70-1] O you who believe, reverence GOD and utter only the correct utterances. He will then fix your works, and forgive your sins. Those who obey GOD and His messenger have triumphed a great triumph.

My final point, and my explanation into why I entitled this “The Opening Act” is because this is merely the beginning of my wonderful life as a Submitter. I have so much more to learn, so much more to grow. “All the world’s a stage” as Shakespeare said and God is my director. He sets the stage and He casts the parts of the actors, each one of them there to play a unique role in this performance of life. I must steadfastly act out my role, even if the demands are high, even if it’s a difficult part to play. But I know I have to seek the dignity and opinion of God and not be distracted by the critics of the world.

[35:5] O people, GOD's promise is the truth; therefore, do not be distracted by this lowly life. Do not be diverted from GOD by mere illusions.

Jehan