The Evangelism Secret Of William Shakespeare

by | Apr 25, 2020

All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:

Thus spake the melancholy Jaques in As You Like It, which began one of literature’s most famous monologues in one of William Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies.

In his speech exploring the seven stages of life from infancy to old age Jacques continues his words until he arrives at his bleak description of how it all ends:

Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

As Believers, we know the “last scene” is not “sans everything” but instead is one of glory and eternal celebration. But, how do we share this with a world so hostile to the Truth?

Is it with a more powerful sound system? Brighter costumes? More elaborate stages?

No. We often complicate evangelism into some impossible task, either requiring supreme gifting or deep theological expertise.

When it’s actually quite simple. All we need to do is remove our masks and stop acting.

All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
Except for those living in the Truth. 

This mad, mad world of greed, debauchery, corruption and the rampant worshiping of idols provides all of the contrast we would ever need to really stand out. To share our faith we don’t have to scream louder, pound tables or juggle flaming torches on rhinestone bejeweled unicycles.

We just need to be REAL. Living God’s will for us openly, quietly and without shame or compromise.

…make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you,  so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
1 Thess 4:11b-12

As Bruce Wilkinson once shared, none of this means we’re better, it means we’re different.

Blessed. With both victories and challenges. And it’s in our times of difficulty when the beacon of our faith will shine brightest. Because, we’ll be expected to stumble, to fall and to don our mask again.

But hear this. Few things express faith more powerfully than quiet confidence in God through the midst of great storms.

Truth speaks for itself. If we’re willing to live it, embrace it, and trust in it during all times.

Quietly. Humbly. Yet for all of the world to see.

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Michael K Reynolds