Continuing the dialogue.....
The Jeweler's Shop
Dear Friend,
As a theater ministry, Acacia seeks to offer high quality theater, which affords the opportunity to view one's life in relationship to the fullness of God's truth. We pray that our shows offer an occasion for thanksgiving, growth, enjoyment and understanding. Without detracting from the theater experience, which we hope you enjoyed, and obviously without foreknowledge of topics dealt with in the "Talk Back," we would like to continue the dialogue by sharing some of the thoughts that the board of directors discussed after reading this play.
Jesus tells us that we must love one another. He said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35) By virtue of the fact that God loves us, we are empowered to love each other. As Christians, when we love another person, we reflect the love that God has for that other person. A marriage relationship is no exception.
The Jeweler’s Shop presents three views of love within a marriage relationship: love that has survived the grave as in the case of Andrew and Teresa; love that has withered and died, as in the case of Stefan and Anna; and love budding out of complexities, doubts and uncertainties, as in the case of Christopher and Monica. Comparing these examples with the truth of God’s Word provides a great deal of insight and guidance.
Regarding Andrew and Teresa, God’s Word shows that our love for each other surpasses death itself. One of the blessings of being a Christian is that we can have hope and assurance that we will see and be reunited with those who have “fallen asleep.” We will reunite and continue to love each other when Jesus returns for His Church.
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 1Thessalonians 4:13-17
Concerning the example of Stefan and Anna, God’s Word teaches that our love can be developed. Love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. If we practice and develop our love for each other by following the leading of the Holy Spirit and renewing our mind to His Word, we will find that our love will not fail.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25
Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
Regarding the budding relationship of Christopher and Monica, God’s Word reveals that when God is at the center of our relationships, there is no room for fear of confusion. He is the third strand of a strong rope that binds us together.
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear. 1John 4:15-18a
Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:11-12
“When we live as if human relationships are “human-made” and therefore subject to the shifting and changing of human regulations and customs, we cannot expect anything but the immense fragmentation and alienation that characterize our society. But when we claim and constantly reclaim God as the source of all love, we will discover love as God’s gift to God’s people.” Henri Nouwen
The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5b
Our hope and prayer is for all your relationships to prosper.
Sincerely,
Board of Directors
Acacia Theatre Company
