THE STAGE IS SET

by CHARLES ROBEY
(MOODY AL USA)

PROLOGUE

I remember a famous daytime soap opera some years ago to which I became addicted. One of the main characters would often play a game with his young son entitled “Where are we going?” They would simply run a toy train around its circle track and guess where it was that they were headed.

Sometimes, they would reach their make-believe destination quickly. Other times, obstacles hindered their safe, quick travel. Those little make-believe journeys are like life in the fast lane in today’s modern materialistic culture.

Now that I’m older than dirty and twice as gritty, my question is 'Where are we going as a nation or country, as a family, or as an individual?' It only takes a blink of the eye, to read about it, to listen to it, or give a quick internet search. We are inundated with the news media, the social media, a next-door neighbor, even a religious ceremony.

Yes, our founding God-inspired, God-directed, freedom-oriented documents have taken a back seat in today’s American progressive society. So, what has happened to the land of the free, the home of the brave?

Sometimes I feel like turning off the mainline television news, cancelling the daily newspaper, tuning out the internet social media, or not listening to the next-door neighbor’s unfounded gossip. I could resolve to keep the world out by locking the door and snuggling up by the fireplace with a good book.

Now to our blog entitled “The Stage Is Set.”

Psalm 2:1-5 "Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the LORD and against His anointed, saying, "Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles." The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the LORD scoffs at them. He rebukes them in His anger and terrifies them in His wrath, saying, "But as for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

I drove into my company parking space a bit early. Kind of rare for me, as I usually make it to my office just as the bell is ringing. How now may I spend these fifteen minutes or so? Let’s see what’s on the air waves. It was my favorite talk show, with the object of conversation being dreams. Well, I don’t really trust such, but think I’ll just take a listen. That’s when it happened. I was out like a light. It had to be a dream of sorts. Can I tell you about it? OK, I will.

I found myself in our college music building, sitting in the middle of what looked to be the warm-up of an orchestra concert.

The stage was set, with men and women sitting in a semi-circle formally dressed for the occasion. 'Is this an orchestra ensemble?' I thought. 'No, it can’t be, there’s no instruments, no conductor's podium, and no conductor.'

As I looked closer, there was the most unusual display. Each sitting would-be orchestra musician had a big partisan placard, advertising one of two national symbols attached to their neatly pressed white formal shirts. These dispositions were about evenly divided. The only distinct difference, other than the symbols, was the background coloring. Some displayed a bright red background; the others were carried a deep blue.

Suddenly the conductor came out on stage from behind the side curtain, taking the customary bow. But was he really a conductor? He had no baton in hand. 'How will this conductor stress the musical pulse so that all the performers can follow the same metrical rhythm with no baton in hand?' I wondered. But on the other hand, neither did these musicians have musical instruments.

He wasn’t a conductor, nor were the participants musicians, we quickly discovered. Was this some sort of deceitful ploy to round up an audience? If so, why the difference in the promotion symbols? Well, he got me. I’ll just sit back and see what evolves from this imitation concert.

As he began talking, he appeared to be some sort of Mediator or Master of Ceremonies. Immediately, he began outlining his prelude.

"This will be a grand event. The discussion questions and the comments will be broadcast throughout the world with no editing or interruption. And all remarks will be limited and centered with respect to America’s two main founding documents," he said.

"There are some questions as to these founders’ documents being outdated in our modern-day progressive world," he went on. "Given the varied opinions and education levels, those younger sitting members wearing blue will be given first choice, with the red wearers to give a follow-up rebuttal on each question."

"The input discussion requests will come from our sitting audience, in an orderly manner, by the raising of the hands. So, please all, wait for the mike handler to reach you, before starting your conversation," he concluded.

'I know this is a dream, in a dream world,' I thought. 'Nonetheless, this conductor’s preceding statement leaves me with certain unexplained questions. Why is he wearing a blue card?'

Then came an array of questions challenging or upholding America’s freedoms or lack thereof, concerning the subjects of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. These are, of course, certain unalienable rights endowed by our Creator.

Followed them were the same type questions for and against certain founding laws addressing such subjects as religion, free speech, free assembling, keeping and bearing arms, the people’s right to be secure in their homes, and many more specific topics addressed in these founding documents.

As the discussions progressed, the questions seemed to quickly foster the best and worst opinions of those bearing the red and blue symbolic place cards. In fact, the symposia had quickly gotten so uncontrollable, in spite of the moderator’s able manipulation, that the broadcast was suddenly halted in lieu of some soft, smooth sounding music. And yes, that’s where I got off, or where my dreamed ended.

I was back, sitting in my vehicle, the gentle rain pattering against my vehicle windows. I must hurry in, for the work bell is ringing. Amen!

EPILOGUE

I sincerely trust your reading of this blog may have just spoken to you in humble easily understood dream world language. Its intent is to be a window of fictional exploration into the semiconscious mind.

What about those red and blue place cards, the center of attraction? What was so important about them? What exactly were the symbols? And, why were the blues given the privilege of being first choice in the discussion? Well, maybe another blog for another time?

Perhaps you are like me, uncertain of what America, the land of the free, the home of the brave, now holds for you. In that case, please allow me to conclude this fiction episode with a bit of last-minute musing.

Does spiritually guided providence speak through your dreams, giving certain insight into real-life warnings or cautions? Does the remembrance of emotions and feelings of long ago, long since suppressed in your waking life, do the same? What about the revealing of certain physical needs? (Isaiah 29:8) Or any number of simple dream related premonitions?

If so, then come join the club. For we all have been there, and done that, dream that is. It’s a part of our divinely-given privilege of freedom and honor, as free will agents created perfectly by our living Creator God. (Genesis 1:26-27)

What then do we make of our dreams? Where do we find the answer? What do we do now? Turn to God’s living Word. (II Timothy 3:16)

So. if you enjoyed this simple blog musing, please pass it on. In fact, really I think you should.

Go ahead, do it before you forget it.