Serving behind a curtain

We set up our puppet stage, which is made of PVC pipe.  We rehearsed and performed to 50 empty chairs and our Creative arts director.

Later in the week, a few people on our supervisory team came and watched us perform. The curtains weren't on the stage yet, so they could see us and we could see them. I've always loved making people laugh and I loved seeing the supervisors laugh and smile at our show.

This rush was short lived. Friday came along, and it was our first run-through of the puppet show with a curtain so the audience could only see the puppets not the puppeteer. It was such a strange feeling. I couldn't see the audience and they couldn't see me.

After the show, I was frustrated. Deep down I knew why, and I was too ashamed to admit it to myself. I wanted the praise, to see their smiles. I wanted to see the fruit of my labor.

That’s when God knocked me off my puppet stool. Beyond the puppet stage, I will most certainly be put in situations this summer where I will be serving in the background. I'm such a people-person, it is so hard for me to feel like I am making a difference when I am working behind the scenes. These puppets reminded of something I had forgotten. No matter where I am—in a bathroom mopping or behind the curtains of a puppet stage—I'm here to serve people whether or not I am seen by human eyes or receive praise.

Two Scripture  verses come to mind:

• “Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant.” (Galatians 1:10, NLT)?

• “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”  (Colossians 3:23,NLT)

Marlie Austin, a student at Howard Payne University, is serving with Go Now Missions in Orlando, Fla., as part as the Give Kids the World team.