My work days are spent in worlds of augmented reality, in lightened shadows and retouched blemishes, in looking delicious to the eyes, maybe not always to the palate. I work in un-lived roomsets, with moving walls that change scenes, beautifully propped flowers and dishes devoid of chipped edges.
But the chips are often there, they just don’t face the camera.
Last weekend was spent on a television commercial shoot. This time we went for real. We worked from a real set, a school with real chefs and real food.
SCENE 15/TAKE 7A: Chef Anthony’s testimony tumbled on to the prep table with authenticity and credibility. He was passionate. He truly loved the product. He used his own words, with enthusiastic excitement that would cause most to desire what he held in his hands.
Yet his own words displayed too much fervor, they did not align with the script.
We reminded the chef of his pre-approved, agreed-upon lines, testimonial words that had sifted through claims and legal reviews. Poured like they emerged from my morning brew process, his words had been whirred to a fine ground, dumped on a filter and extracted by hot water. Producing a tasteful change, the process delivered inoffensive words, savory to all, words and lines even a competitive brand could swallow.
We chose respectful…refined…tasteful…in front of the camera, so as not to offend or make waves.
And I’m reminded of how I’ve done that to the Gospel
…for the polite face of tolerance.
How many times for the sake of public sophistication, have I watered down the face of my faith, moved safely into respectable, refined, tasteful…so as not to offend or make waves? Too many.
That’s not the script that He wrote for me.
Grasping how much Jesus paid to dress me in glory that I’ll never afford, receiving a depth of grace I don’t deserve and mercy I never earn, I let the lens turn on my life.
Grace merits authenticity, a life unscripted by the world, a life written by the hand of a King who orders the stars, the seasons and the days.
Go unscripted. Get real, live bold. He’ll turn the chips and cracks beautiful as allow them to face the camera.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes… Romans 1.16