Here we are in Act 21 (the twenty-first century).
The drama continues to unfold. The good guys are fighting the bad guys. Sometimes you can’t tell who is on which side (no black hats and white hats). We are not the audience–we are on stage. It is a crazy drama like none you have ever seen. There are backstage prompters to give you the right lines and actions; there are also backstage prompters who are trying to get you do the wrong thing or say the wrong line.
When this act is over and the curtain falls (or when you exit the stage prematurely and permanently), only one question will matter. Which side were you on? Some players on the stage try to avoid being on any side. They want to say their lines and go through the actions without engaging the fact that this drama is about an ongoing battle. They think that avoiding taking sides will somehow get them through their “role” without harm. Of course, that is one of the great deceptions of this drama: some of the actors on stage don’t know what is going on and what to do.
Do something today (and tomorrow, and every day) to show which side you’re on (and to remind yourself as well). In the first little place I preached in Arkansas, Brother McCullough came to church every time the doors were open. He sat down at the front and adjusted his hearing aid all the way through the Bible classes and worship. The hearing aid often squealed shrill-ly. One time, someone asked him if he heard much of what was going on. He admitted it was difficult. The questioner continued, “Then why do you come so faithfully.” His response: “I want to make sure people know which side I’m on!”