Why Did I Choose Acting?

When I doubt whether or not acting is what God has for my life, I always go back to what God spoke to me through a pastor…

Out of nowhere, during my last year of college, I was walking on campus and this thought hit me – I want to do acting! Why am I getting my degree in Kinesiology? 

That wouldn't have been so crazy if I actually wanted to act, but I didn't. Acting was nowhere on my radar.

I had already tried acting in high school – not One Act Play, but I had an agent, went to acting classes, went to LA for a week long event, etc., and I hated it.

After a few months, I got out. I later realized that that agency was a scam which is probably why it was a cruddy experience, but still, I’d already found out that acting wasn’t for me. Or so I thought.

During this last year in college, after I had that crazy revelation, I went home and went to church with my mom.

During the service, I don’t know what came over me, but I was crying. I think I was just loving God really hard that day and really thankful for my life and this new direction.

Anyway, somehow I ended up in the front row with my mom. The pastor saw me crying and started praying over me. He was saying a lot of things to me which I think were probably great and pretty accurate, but I was discounting them because I was like, “Dude, you barely know me. You think I’m just some college kid that needs encouragement and you’re acting like God’s giving you words for me.”

After a few more words, he paused like he was listening.

That got my attention. He chuckled, looked at me and said, “He wants you to know that you will bring fame to His name.” I was floored.

How did he know? Of all the important things the pastor spoke to me during those couple of minutes, the only thing my mom and I remember are those last few words. His chuckle almost made me feel like he was laughing at me – like God was saying to him, “Pastor, she’s not listening to a thing I'm telling you. Tell her this…”. It was the first time God had spoken to me, even indirectly.

It was such comfort and incredibly humbling. I guarantee that the pastor had no idea I was wanting to do acting and that I wanted to glorify Christ through it. I’d only recently learned that myself.

My mom and I tend to revisit that day from time to time. I’m grateful she was there with me and that I have another person to help me remember and relive that moment. 

Great things happen when I’m with my mom. I joke with her that she’s God’s favorite. She gets blessed all the time. I should do a separate post about her; there’s so much to say about her and the way she lives her life.

So, I’ve been reflecting on those words lately: “You will bring fame to His name”. I like that God uses brevity. It sticks. He doesn’t always give the why, when, or how, but He gives the what. And that’s enough.

Then it’s time to push the ‘active faith’ button.

Pray and push,
V

If you decide that you want God in your life, here's a simple prayer you can say quietly or out loud:

Dear God, I'm a sinner. I’m sorry for my sin; please forgive me.

I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son and that He died for my sins and You raised Him to life.

I want to invite Him into my heart to take control of my life.

In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

(No pressure, but if you do say this prayer, I'd love to know so you're not stuck with the thought of, "Okaaaaay, what now?")