Brett, or Director Brett at the moment, crossed his arms and watched the students rehearse the play. He waved his arms and said, “No, no, no. That’s not how it is. Curtain line!” The actors hurried to sit down and listen to Brett’s thoughts on their performance, or lack there of. I inwardly cringed and waited for the blunt truth of what he thought, but he gently shared several suggestions on how to improve. I quickly pulled out my phone and took notes because what he said would become the basis of this blog post.  
“First of all,” Brett said, “You need to know where you are going and move with purpose.” How true! This idea not only applied to the actors on the stage, but to everyone walking through life. God has a purpose for our life and He wants us to know where He plans for us to go. When we listen for his voice and follow His plan we will know where we are going and move with the purpose He has given us.  
“For we know in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Brett’s next suggestion, “Don’t act, be the person you are.” Too often we act how we think other’s want us to, or do what we think we are ‘supposed’ to do. God has called you. God has things for you to do. We need to listen to God and what he has planned for us. We will not end up living our purpose if we listen to what other’s think we should do.
  “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…” (Jeremiah 1:5)
The words of wisdom continued, “Listen to the director when he calls you…otherwise you will miss half of what he says.” We need to stay tuned into the voice of God 24/7. If we only listen when we go to church or prayer meeting we are missing out on so many things God wants to tell us.  
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way; walk ye in it.” (Isaiah 30:21)
I had a couple of other thoughts when Brett finished speaking. The play has an expected end. God has an expected end for us. (Jeremiah 29:11) He has a plan for your life…you will arrive at your plan when you listen to God 24/7, act on His will for you life and move forward with a purpose. Just like the audience doesn’t know the ending to the play until it happens, we won’t know the ending either, we just need to know the next right step, which happens when we consistently listen to the voice of God. 
Parts of the play were practiced over and over until they were learned. Sometimes we feel like we keep repeating the same mistakes over and over again. God wants us to learn to trust Him for help to overcome temptation. God wants us to give thanks for the temptation, “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and then allow His grace to deliver us from the temptation. “…My grace is sufficient for you; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9.  
Sometimes we feel like those actors on the stage this afternoon; they hadn’t all learned their lines well yet, they couldn’t remember where to walk across the stage, they weren’t sure who they were so they compensated by overacting, they were busy talking to a friend and didn’t want to be disturbed by the call of the director and only heard half of what he said and therefore continued into practice even more confused. Take the time today to listen to the voice of God, take the time all day long every day to listen to the voice of God and see where He takes you. It’s time to step out of the stress your own plans cause and time to rest in the freedom of the plan God has for you. Is your own plan not working out so well? Why settle for second best? Why wouldn’t you want to follow God’s plan if His plan is the best? Choose to follow God’s plan and you will have the ultimate life experience because hands down, God has the best plan ever for you! Start living it today.