“I wish I could just go back in the theater and live in there,” Antoinette said.
“I know what you mean,” I replied.
We had just walked out of “Phantom of the Opera” with its drama, music and incredible staging when we found ourselves bumping into and getting out of the way of the multitude of the forlorn on the crowded sidewalks of 44th Street.
I once walked around New York City with my brother and we observed the pedestrians for many blocks. There were very few smiling and even fewer whose eyes would deliberately meet ours.
I wonder what God was thinking when he put together a cast of 8 billion people.
It brings me back to what Antoinette said, “I wish I could go back inside.” That’s where all of the lines are perfect. That's where things
fall into place (literally in The Phantom). That’s where lovers find their partner and sing duets. That’s where…
But here on the streets of Manhattan were the ones still looking for the script - no less their part.
And there’s a God above willing to give them both.
PORTAL TO HEAVEN: It’s rather impossible to have meaning without God and even less likely that we’ll be able to wear a smile instead of a mask. Will you be the one on the sidewalk handing out your extra tickets on behalf of the greatest playwright of all time?
and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to [Jesus]. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’…For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.[Jesus] answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel…[Paul] proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!
Luke 4:17-19 NIV, Jeremiah 29:11NIV, Matthew 15:24 NIV, Acts 28:31NIV