Summary: A Christian (male or female) is content in his life and relationship with God until challenged by “History” in the form of a person.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 8min
Actors: 2M/F
Characters:
Christian
History
Note: The challenge, that comes towards the end of the play, should be tailored to reflect the particular situation or need in your country. (The challenge in this version represents issues prevalent in South Africa in 2008/9)
Script
(Christian is standing, facing the audience. He is praising the Lord through song, and has his Bible in hand.)
C: (Singing). I just keep trusting my Lord, as I walk along; I just keep trusting my Lord, and He gives me a song, though the storm clouds darken the sky… o’er the heavenly trail; I just keep trusting my God; He will never fail…. (History enters, and looks intently at Christian who becomes a little disconcerted, stops singing). Hello?
H: Hello.
C: Hello. Is something wrong?
H: No.
C: Do you want something?
H: No.
C: Well, can I help you?
H: No.
C: So… what do you want?
H: I’m waiting, always waiting.
C: For what?
H: For you.
C: What do you mean “you are waiting for me”?
H: As long as you are here I will be waiting.
C: And if I go?
H: Then it won’t be necessary to wait for you any longer.
C: Who are you anyway?
H: I’m History.
C: Oh, hello History, I’m Christian.
H: Yes, I know. So what are you going to do?
C: I am praising the Lord.
H: Yes, I know. So what are you going to do?
C: I am telling the person who died for me that I trust him.
H: Yes, I know. So what are you going to do?
C: What do you mean? Do you know who Jesus Christ is?
H: Yes, I know. So what are you going to do?
C: If you know who Jesus is then you would understand what I am saying.
H: I know who Jesus is and what He did. So what are you going to do?
C: Oh… I see what you mean. I’m going to obey Him.
H: So what are you going to do?
C: You know, read His Word (the Bible of course), pray and worship and all that kind of thing.
H: Yes, I know. So what are you going to do?
C: O yes, and then I’ll go to church… and house church. You know that’s very important … we all care for each other there and pray and study the Word.
H: (Silence but with a questioning look).
C: Look. What is it with you anyway? You interrupted my time of praising the Lord.
H: I am History and I am waiting for you so that I can record the evidence.
C: What evidence?
H: Your actions.
C: (Ponders awhile). What is it exactly that you do? What are your actions?
H: I wait, and I record what I see.
C: You are beginning to make me feel uncomfortable.
H: (Silence).
C: How long have you been around anyway?
H: Since the beginning?
C: If that is true you must have seen an awful lot.
H: Yes.
C: So then, tell me what did Jesus do?
H: You said you’ve studied the Word. Surely you know?
C: (With a bit of a swagger). I have, and I know He died for me, to give me salvation, and it is free and I don’t have to earn it! I am a child of God and that is why I can be called “Christian”.
H: So what are you going to do?
C: You are beginning to sound like the irritating seat belt warning signal in my car. I’ve told you what I do.
H: I always wait to see what Christians are going to do.
C: Why?
H: Christians have the power and the responsibility that goes with it, to change the world. They also have the choice to let the world go by unchanged.
C: (Enthusiastically). I know we have the power. Sometimes I really feel it when I’m praising the Lord, and especially with other Christians! I even believe that God heals people with physical problems. It’s even happened here in our church.
H: (Silence and completely unimpressed).
C: All right then. Tell me what you’ve seen other Christians do.
H: (Speaking deliberately and pausing a little between each sentence).
I have seen Christians speak out and stand against evil rulers and injustice.
I have seen Christians show compassion to unlovely and unloved people.
I have seen Christians share their food with the hungry and provide shelter for the poor.
I have seen Christians give up their comfort to take the Gospel to people who need it.
I have seen Christians suffer (some even dying) for all of these things.
(Pause).
I have also seen Christians not speak out against evil rulers and injustice.
I have also seen Christians showing impatience and intolerance to unlovely and unloved people.
I have also seen Christians not sharing what God has abundantly blessed them with.
I have also seen Christians ashamed and therefore not sharing the Gospel.
I often see many Christians enjoying the comfortable fellowship of friendly church clubs and welcoming people who might want to join their club.
C: (Interrupting). OK, OK. I’m getting the picture. But what injustice is taking place around here? And our church has got people who feed the poor… (then rushing his words) and - and we even support missionaries who take the Gospel to the unsaved.
H: You were singing about storm clouds darkening the sky? What storm clouds?
C: I’ve never really thought about it… but yes, of course there are many storm clouds here in South Africa. Surely you must know? There is crime and I’ve heard there is quite a big drug problem. Then of course there is this whole xenophobia thing. It’s quite terrible you know. The schools are going to pot and the health system is falling apart and I don’t know what’s happening to the leadership of the country but that really seems to be in a mess… But what can we do about that anyway?
H: Perhaps you should show me?
C: Now listen here. What has being a Christian got to do with all of that anyway? We pray about it and we pray for our country a lot. Yes, individually and even the churches get together and pray.
H: So, what are you going to do?
C: Look. When the time comes I will take a stand. I know God will help me be strong.
H: The time is now.
C: What do you mean?
H: (Pointedly).
You have just told me about some of the things happening in your country now. Are you going to allow this evil to continue without taking a stand?
The children of your country are being educated “value free”. Who will give them a foundation by which to live?
TV and films promote promiscuity and the seeking of self satisfaction. They are taking millions captive. Who will stand against this media? Who will set the captive people free?
Youngsters are being lead into bondage through drug usage. Who will fight the drug lords? Who will care for the destroyed lives?
Families are being torn apart through selfishness and materialism. Who will intervene?
AIDS is taking its toll on lives even though it receives less publicity these days. Who will take the stand against the futility of the “safe sex” policy and who will care for the families impacted?
Shall I continue?
C: Uh .. No. I think I’m beginning to understand.
H: (To the audience). Christian, what are you going to do? I am History and I will faithfully record your actions.
End
© Cedric Downard 2009, all rights reserved. The script may not be reproduced, translated or copied in any medium, including books, CDs and on the Internet, without written permission of the author.
This play may be performed free of charge, on the condition that copies are not sold for profit in any medium, nor any entrance fee charged. In exchange for free performance, the author would appreciate being notified of when and for what purpose the play is performed. He may be contacted at: