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The Greatest Show


 One of my favorite movies is “The Greatest Showman.” It encompasses everything I love in this life-music, dancing, a devoted love story, and the spectacle of dazzling performance.  


The movie is loosely based on the life of P. T. Barnum and takes the audience on his journey of “A Million Dreams.” Barnum was, in fact, a great showman. But did his private life result in an eternal legacy?


We can spend our days wearing a mask and playing a part while our private life does nothing to match what we show the world. Shakespeare wrote, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”  That’s pretty accurate for this time of social media where we do all we can to put our best foot forward.


And then there was Paul. He spoke to the New Testament churches about his struggles. He confided in his friend and apprentice Timothy about his struggles in I Timothy 1:16: “But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.”

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Here we see Paul briefly referencing his struggle while bringing all glory to Christ. He’s human. So are we. Authenticity has become something more and more important to me over the years. What’s real? Me? Is my life offstage a true reflection of what others see?


This I know...God IS real.  If I am working to reflect Him, I’m not putting on a show. It’s raw. It’s vulnerable. It’s human. My dependence and need for Him is what carries me through each day. Be real. Leave a legacy of authenticity. That’s a great show.


© Jill Cook, Unbroken & Undone Ministries. All rights reserved.


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