By Fr Adolf Washington –
Have you seen the backstage of a theater? It isn’t usually glamorous, attractive, orderly, lit-up and serene as the front-stage. It would look dingy, dark and messy with things strewn around everywhere, may be broken furniture and fixtures, noisy crew with tensed faces walking around, a not-so-nice pleasant place to rest a weary head.
Our lives consist of a back-stage and a front stage. What we are front-stage will not often reflect the chaos, tension, struggles, brokenness and darkness of our lives.
People may know or care to think or look into our life’s backstage because the spotlight is on us can be a ‘distraction’. This is why we are shocked to read news flashes of the miserable or disturbing lives of well-known public figures.
We may wear masks onstage, not backstage. Our backstage life is far more important as it is here we come face-to-face with own selves, the reality of our own life. There is no drama here. There are no audiences. It is here we see our misery and mystery, our unfeigned smiles and real tears.
Our smiles can hide a million tears or conceal our most vicious thoughts.
It is important for us to frequently get into the backstage of our lives and seek the help of God in making our life as radiant, but real, onstage; there could be unresolved problems that is breaking you, a haunting memory, unfulfilled dreams, bitter betrayals, unreconciled relationships, failure, uncertainty of the future, people who have failed to understand or accept you, rivalry and slander against you, misgivings and pleadings turned-down or self-hate. It’s the life without make-up.
A patient afflicted with chronic depression called on the famous British physician John Abernethy (1764-1831). After examining him, Dr. Abernethy said, “You need amusement. Go down to the playhouse and hear the comedian Grimaldi. He will make you laugh and that will be better for you than any drugs.” The patient said, “I am Grimaldi”.
Claudius in Shakespeare ‘Hamlet’ pretends to be concerned for Hamlet’s welfare and for the kingdom of Denmark when he actually cares for himself. Claudius smiles and says all the right things to people, but underneath it all, he is a villain because he’s a murderer and just after power. Hamlet speaks of Claudius “O villain, villain, smiling, damnèd villain! That one may smile, and smile, and be a villain”.
Invite the Lord into your life’s backstage to bring in order. He takes no pleasure in being in the audience. In the Book of Psalms, David sings “O Lord, You have searched me and known me.You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thoughts from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.” (Psalm 139:2-3). The Lord declares through Prophet Jeremiah “Can a man hide himself in hiding places So I do not see him? Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” (Jeremiah 23:24).
What’s your backstage story?