Taking My Bow





"a rose by any other name would smell as sweet"
Shakespeare

 

I was struck with a pang nestled in my spirit. A pang I had not felt for quite some time, but nonetheless reminded me of the significant change I was about to experience.

I was in Solvang, California walking with my husband and son to the Festival Theater, for a Shakespearean outdoor experience. The thrill of seeing a stage production while on vacation, gave a skip to my steps upon the cobblestone. I couldn't imagine a more perfect evening than under the stars and before a stage with those you love?

Yet, with the sweet aroma of pleasure wafting about me, I felt a prick of sorrow within.

 

For the past twenty years, I have played part in the most romantic love story. The tale of how my affection has been pursued day and night, by One who desires my full attention and unyielding passion. Our story not unlike the centuries old drama which speaks to generation after generation, while transcending man's comprehension: A would be bride and groom separated by sin until united by death. God my Romeo and I his Juliette.

In this role of leading lady, the lover of my soul has beckoned me again and again to the theater. Thus granting more than an eternal romance, He has afforded me glorious moments about the stage. My first encounter in high school an awkward stumble, without his careful guidance.

 

Though love came quickly, I soon found myself caught in the crossfire of Capulet dreams I had for myself and Montague demands for a bride. Like Tybalt, I fought for my dream with pride and in so doing, killed my hope of basking in the limelight. The curtain fell with a cruel thud as the lights faded to black. In confusion and despair I chose poison and turned my back on the theater and the Light.

A profound and painful prick.

Life was dull, colorless and void of Light for a few dark and desperate years. But oh, how the Lord loves. My faithful and patient God, after allowing me to suffer a season off stage, wooed me back into the safe fold of his embrace. This time I joyfully surrendered to His plan. Once sealed in his grace, He led me back to the theater; this time for His glory. There He cast his Light upon me, and I flourished: budding dramatic ministry after dramatic ministry.

While the Lord called me to the stage, he also blessed me with an amazing husband. Kevin, my parallel love of twenty-one years, has generously afforded me the freedom to serve the LORD with my passion for the Arts. Together Kevin and I have sacrificed a lot for this call from our first love. Without my husband's constant affection, encouragement and support, I would have perhaps stumbled a second time through the theater. Consequently, missing some kingdom glory.  

Twenty years of productions and ministry is a hearty run. But even the best shows eventually come to an end. Romeo beckons Juliette away from the stage. And while joy, passion and adventure remain part of our story, I expect--at least for a while--my heart will mourn the once again closed stage door.

Had I known my last musical would be a final curtain call, I don't believe I would have done anything different: Perhaps I would have taken a bow. And though a small sorrow has pricked my heart, it came from the rose God tossed before my feet. Drawing a tear from my eye and praise from my lips, as my soul cries out to Him; BRAVO, my LORD! BRAVO!

 








The Wonders of Willy Wonka

Looking at something familiar with a new perspective can reveal something sweeter than chocolate.

In the early stages of searching out a musical for our school's spring musical, I was taken with the option of Willy Wonka Jr. With great wonder, I pondered the story by Roald Dahl, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". For as I listened to the music and later watched the movie adaptation staring Gene Wilder, I discovered my spirit connecting with the tale of my childhood with surprising intensity. No longer was the mysterious confectioner merely a misunderstood genius...Willy Wonka was a creative depiction of my Lord Jesus Christ.

The journey of directing and producing this favorite story from my youth was delicious fun! Sweeter still, was the revelation of God's promises tucked into the chapters of this special story. For just as many passed through the wide gates into Wonka's amazing factory, only one journeyed through the narrow gate of humility in the end. And it is Charlie alone who at the end of an unforgettable tour of a chocolate paradise, humbles himself before the candy Creator and confesses his sin. His prize? Grace and a new home!

The reality that all things are created by and through Jesus, beckons us to pause and ponder the glimpse of the Lord in Wonka's make-up. Consider Christ's purple robe...traded for a purple coat. A brown hat worn like a crown of thorns and a cane in lieu of a shepherd's staff. Wild imagination at work! But the similarities extend beyond the man into the plot. Interestingly, the gates to Wonka's factory are closed to the world due to rebellion, just as access to Eden was closed due to sin. Yet, the heart of the Confectioner mirrors the desire of our Creator to make a way to share the wonders of their worlds. A Golden Ticket thereby symbolizes a golden rule. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these shall be added unto you."

A tour of the famous factory begins with Wonka drawing back a lovely curtain.  Thus, revealing a necessary contract which must be signed between the Guide and his guests for factory access. In this scene, I'm reminded of God's tearing of the curtain in the Jewish Temple (pulling it back) upon Christ's sacrificial death. This introduced a new covenant between Creator and man which mandated one access to the prize.  Just like with God, there are rules to be upheld and consequences to consider within the factory. For Wonka carries with him both the wrath of judgement (for covenant breaking brats and their parents), and the forgiveness of sins (for repentant children).  

But why a candy maker? How better to invite the world to "Taste and see that the Lord is good!" (Ps 34:8).  Unlike the movie, in Dahl's story, the Candy Man is Willy Wonka in disguise. How similar to a God who clothed himself in flesh to serve his little children. That is why, in my imagination, the candy store in Willy Wonka symbolizes the Church. Understandably, the kids race to the candy store for the glorious taste of Trinity Treats. Naturally, the Candy Man tends personally to sharing his delicious promise of redemption: like Jesus ministering to his disciples.  The red stripes of his Candy Man coat hauntingly similar to the stripes upon Jesus's bared back. The more I study Willy Wonka, the more I see characteristics of our LORD. And just as the famous song declares, the Candy Man mixes life with love, "and makes the world taste good!", Jesus Christ mixed his purity with our sin and created sweet salvation for our souls.

But what of the Golden Ticket? Ah, this is our symbol of the gospel! Though Mr. Bucket devours the Old Testament Newspaper for the tiniest bit of "Good News, he remains dissatisfied, for only the New Testament provides the answer to escape a life of eternal suffering and hardship. Likewise Mrs. Bucket wears herself out tending to the soiled garments of those around her. And what of Grandpa Joe, confining himself to a meaningless life in bed, though he was capable and created for so much more! Oh, Grandpa Joe spoke of Wonka, but he spoke of suspicions and wives-tales. Grandpa may have worked for Wonka in the past, but he did not know Wonka personally. Similarly, God's Word tells us there will be many who claim to know Christ, only to have him deny ever knowing them when they stand face to face. Meanwhile, Charlie holding onto hope, plants the spiritual seeds of positive thinking in his father's mind. This  after experiencing the richness of Wonka's work, granted by the Candy Man. Suddenly Charlie's whole world is focussed on the mysterious Confectioner and he longs to venture beyond the locked gates.

Though Charlie ponders the reality of a golden ticket gospel, his whole outlook on life changes when he spots gold within his candy wrapper. With the treasured golden ticket in his hand, there is finally something worth getting out of bed for! Bursting with joy, the young believer exuberantly shares his new treasure with his family. Declaring with glee..."I've found it!" Thus, the gospel truth comes to the Bucket home!

Not surprisingly keeping with scripture, it is Willy Wonka who provides the coin which buys Charlie the winning candy bar. For it was Christ who paid the price for our salvation. Likewise, the gospel is available to any, but embraced only by genuine seekers. Though five are fortunate to find the golden tickets, only Charlie and his family truly know its worth. They alone understand it holds the key to Wonka and a better life!  Still, they could not imagine all their encounter with Wonka

The factory tour of temptations at Wonka's side illustrates the LORD's desire to journey with us through life as our guide and teacher. His casual warnings to wayward tourists, similar to the whispers of the Holy Spirit to our conscious. Additionally, Wonka's Oompa's act as an invitation to consider the angelic servants of our LORD, tending to the Creator's work.

Finally, Wonka reminds the world there is consequence for sin--great or small--with Charlie's loss of the tour prize. For it is the meek that shall inherit the earth and the humble heart before God which gains the treasures of heaven. With Wonka as it is with Christ, humble repentance gains a new life, a new home and one day a new world. A world of "Pure Imagination"! For Charlie there was no greater prize than Wonka's forgiveness and Factory. For the repentant sinner, it is salvation through Christ and an eternal heavenly home.

So while Friends Christian Middle School proudly shared the work of Roald Dahl in their production of Willy Wonka Jr. last month, I celebrate the works of our Creator God. How sweet is the love of Christ! How wonderful is our Savior!

Tracy L. Frazier
Photo by: Sara J.