Take Ed McMahon for instance, can anyone tell me his true talent as a
celebrity? Playing the fool to one Johnny Carson, he will always be remembered
every time someone who has had too many Coronas says “here’s Johnny!” Well
paid, probably overpaid, and nothing on his own, without The Tonight Show he
might have been selling aluminum siding, but he will always be known throughout
show biz circles. Whoever said he who finishes second is really first loser
never thought of Ed’s success.
“Hi, my name’s Larry, this is my brother Darryl, this is my other brother
Darryl...” and immediately we think of think of Newhart, with the lovable three
mountain men. But without Dick to play up to, they just aren’t as funny. Same
with Michael and his wife Stefanie, as obnoxious and funny as they are, they
still are secondary characters in a hit show. Cosmo Kramer, perhaps one of the
funniest characters ever, played by Michael Richards, when in his own show
bombed. Not enough Kramer for his own show, just enough to support. Same with
George, and the list goes on. But if you ever saw Kramer as Stanley Spudowski
in UHF, again a supporting role, you can see an early Kramer on the rise.
Supporting of course.
Lenny and Squiggy were two you would let into your living room on Laverne
and Shirley, but maybe not at your dinner table. Funny as characters, but not
enough to make it on their own show. Add in Eddie Haskell, “you sure look fine
tonight Mrs. Cleaver, is that an new necklace? My father says it’s important
for up and coming couples to look rich...” but would anyone, could anyone sit
through The Eddie Haskell Show? Add in Lumpy....”yes Daddy...” and maybe you
are starting to see a theme here. Very funny people, supporting actors, who
made the show they appeared on even funnier, and who that maybe without it it
might have not had the appeal, but could never stand alone. They were all part
of a supporting cast, and very good at it. People we imitate, laugh at, and
even wish there was more of them on the show, but due to masterful writing and
direction, give us just enough and wanting more. People that were an important
part of a cast, at least Garry Marshall knew not to put The Fonz into his own
sitcom. Correctimundo!
Maybe they are like Goldilocks, too much not so funny, too little we want
more. A bed that is never just right, but we sleep on it anyway, a porridge not
made right, but when hungry it will do. Funny characters that are depended on
to aid, not to get center attention. A cast of characters from A to Z that
Carly Simon once sang about. Which is real life. Face it, our lives are all
about us, a gospel of self, that is on display. But without others, friends,
co-workers, family, and others, life just isn’t so interesting. It takes them
and their interaction to make our own lives interesting. But we have learned
when to not answer the phone, or the door when it is them. Some are riding
buddies you won’t take home for dinner, some are guys you eat lunch with, but
would never ride with. Fonzie on Seinfeld? Kramer living above the
Cunninghams? How much of Eddie Haskell would Laverne and Shirley put up with?
And could you imagine June letting Lenny and Squiggy in to see Wally? If you
could, you probably put ketchup on your hot dog, something Darryl would never
do.
And so today we are called to be a cast of characters in our lives as
Christians. When Jesus is the star, the bright and shining star, he needs no
others, yet he has chosen us to be his supporting cast. to be his ambassadors
to the world, to take out his message of salvation. But what good are we
without his message, or the message without him? Some live under the illusion
we have to do more for God, living a legalistic life that is never good enough.
They forget we are saved by grace, not by works lest we should boast. They
neglect the direction of the holy spirit, and wonder why they aren’t effective.
without knowing, their ministry and testimony is all about them, and no one
wants to hear it. Some think they need to carry a big Bible, or wear a t-shirt
about Jesus. Some try to impress with bumper stickers, other with Christian
colors. Sadly they don’t realize that all the above are warning signs to avoid
them, for no one wants to be preached at. Yet they walk away after an
encounter, safe in the knowledge they are going to heaven, and at least won an
argument. The question they never answer is “who’s Jesus?” And if he is like
you, I’ll stay away. Sound familiar?
We have all gone through it, and some are still in it. But when the light
went on for me, it meant sitting in the back row and letting Jesus take center
stage. And my ministry took off, rather it grew in the spirit. I became
obedient, then trusting of Jesus, and the final showdown came one afternoon when
praying about a big decision. Like so many times, we already know where God is
leading us before we pray, we just don’t like his answer, so try to bargain with
him. I used to throw fleeces like Gideon, to test the spirit, and one day God
called me on it. “Why don’t you quit throwing fleeces and just trust me?” My
faith grew feet, and suddenly it wasn’t all about me, I put him at the head of
my life, and I followed. A supporting character in my own life. For truly your
life, all life is about Jesus Christ.
Consider this last conversation with God one afternoon. He asked me “why
don’t I let you change lives?” After the selfish start processes ebbed, his
answer made perfect sense. “I change people so that they can be like me, not
like you.” I have never heard an argument for another me, have you? So who do
you trust with your life? Whose character do you support?
If your witness is weak, try Jesus. Live in his spirit, learn to shut up
and listen, rather than annoy and upset. Show compassion, and learn a lesson
from Jeopardy. How many have lost because they gave the wrong question because
they didn’t listen to the complete answer? In other works, let God speak, don’t
interrupt! And try to be led by him, and soon the change in you seen by others
will be his spirit living within you. Now that is a witness I can
embrace!
Co-stars are very good at what they do, but only in the role chosen for
them. With one character worth noting, Gomer Pyle. From gas pump attendant, to
USMC, he stayed Gomer. But always in a supporting role. He needed his fellow
co-stars to make him funny, by himself he was just a Pyle. Too much and we
change channels, too little we want more. Like the spirit, he knows just how
much we need, and when we are guided by him, he is the star of the show.
Everything the spirit does points to Jesus, and everything Jesus did he pointed
to his father in heaven. Why don’t we learn from the greatest of them Jesus,
and be a part of his supporting cast. Begin to see the blessings when we walk
in his light. Suddenly our words mean more, our compassion is real, and all our
education means something in its application. Maybe if we did the things he
directed us to do, then we could really call him Lord?
And maybe people might not shudder when you approach like Mr. Wilson does
when he hears “hello Mr. Wilson!” from Dennis. Father has always known best,
that is why we are always referred to as his children. Now, who really is the
Captain Kirk of your Enterprise?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com