Joy For The Journey
Drama
Graduation Is Not For Angels
Contemporary Christian Dramas
Object:
Each scene of this intense drama portrays a different situation in life, in three different time periods, where the ultimate answer is always Christ. These scenes may be used simultaneously, or with a time lapse, depending on the effect desired. The same two cast members may be used for all three scenes if desired. (Especially adapted for women's retreats or seminars)
Scene I
Setting: Biblical time frame. Two days after Christ's crucifixion
Characters:
MIRIAM: Young woman, a follower of Christ, new in her faith and very uncertain about the events of the last several days
HANNAH: Older woman, a follower of Christ, mature and reserved, steadfast and unmoving
Costumes: Biblical dress
Props: Draped boxes for sitting
Scene: Both women sit center stage
* * *
MIRIAM: (Agitated, in despair, kneeling beside HANNAH) Hannah, how can you sit there so composed? The world, a wonderful world where the Messiah would have ruled and reigned forever, is over. Hannah, we put all our hope in this man called Jesus -- and he is dead.
HANNAH: (Calmly, holds Miriam's face in her hands) But he will rise. I have his joy.
MIRIAM: (Taking Hannah's hand) Hannah, Jesus is dead. He is crucified. Don't you understand?
HANNAH: (Steadfastly) But he will rise. Don't you see, Miriam, it's as though I feel his very presence.
MIRIAM: (Almost disgusted) No one has risen from the dead. Hannah, I worry over you. You were there. You saw how he suffered. Yet you refuse to believe it!
HANNAH: (With compassion) Oh, Miriam, it is you who do not understand. There is a hope within me. A decision I have made. I choose to believe what Jesus said to us, that he would be delivered to the chief priests and scribes,who would scourge him and crucify him, and the third day he will rise. He will rise, Miriam. He will rise. Tomorrow is the third day.
MIRIAM: Hannah ... please, it has never been done. You will see.
HANNAH: (Serenely) Yes, I will see. I have never had a reason to doubt the Christ's words. I do not doubt now. With a strange new joy in my heart, I continue the journey of faith. Faith in my Lord and Master. He will never leave me or forsake me. Of that, I am certain.
Scene II
Scene: A wagon train headed west
Characters:
SARA: Young woman, uncertain, frightened, very open about her feelings
ANNA: Young woman wise for her years, a strong Christian faith
Costumes: Old-fashioned dresses and bonnets typical of wagon train dress
Props: Boxes for sitting, campfire, pot, utensils for stirring
Setting: It is evening. Two women sit before a wagon train fire stirring a pot of stew for the evening meal. They are both obviously very weary
* * *
SARA: (Sighs as she stirs, looking around) The coyotes are howling again. That sound sends shivers up and down my back every time I hear it.
ANNA: I know exactly how you feel. (Tastes stew) Ummm -- amazing what a fresh rabbit does to a few carrots and potatoes.
SARA: (Rubs her neck in weariness) I didn't think the wagons would ever stop for the night. (Pauses) Anna, you've just left a wonderful life in Philadelphia to follow your husband's dream to settle a homestead in the West. All your possessions are stuffed in one rickety covered wagon. You're expecting your first child. Aren't you afraid -- aren't you just a little angry?
ANNA: (Hesitates as though thinking) Are you afraid? Are you angry? You are doing the same thing?
SARA: (Sighing) I've cried so much, my heart is numb. I knew Adam was restless, but to take a new wife across a hostile land just for the sake of adventure -- (Fearfully) Do you know how many of this wagon train already lay beneath this God-forsaken sod?
ANNA: (Quietly) Yes ...
SARA: To answer your question -- yes, I'm afraid. Yes, I'm angry!
ANNA: (Pauses, looks off into the distance) The journey in life God requires of us is often into the unknown.
SARA: (Disgusted, stirs violently) If this is God's journey!
ANNA: (Pensively) I guess that's where you and I have to start. Is this God's journey?
SARA: (Stops stirring, hesitantly) Yes, it must be, for I admit I feel the Lord's presence every day. I can't explain it. It's as though I can reach out and touch him. Yet, it's so scary out here. People are giving up, quarreling, dying.
ANNA: People are also living. (Takes SARA's hand) God needs people of strength, people of prayer to follow the call on their lives wherever it might take them.
SARA: So ... you're not afraid?
ANNA: Yes, Sara, I'm often afraid, but the joy is always there. The joy is always there. (Whispering) God will see us through.
Scene III
Scene: Modern kitchen
Characters:
JAN: A woman of faith, bold, honest and straightforward
KARLA: A young woman, Christian, struggling with her past and her identity in Christ
Costumes: Modern, casual dress
Props: Table, coffee cups
Setting: Both women are sitting at a table drinking coffee
* * *
JAN: To what do I owe this time out? You never stop over in the middle of the day.
KARLA: (Breathlessly, sits back in chair and winces) Wow, you're not even going to let me do the small talk thing today, are you.
JAN: (Laughingly) Nope! I can tell by your face that you're loaded. Let's have it.
KARLA: (Grows serious, sighs, plays with a ring on her finger) Jan, do you think I'll ever be able to love myself? (Pauses) You know my past. First of all, I was supposed to be a boy ... and then I wasn't smart enough ... or pretty enough. I didn't get the college degree my parents wanted me to pursue. I chose to get married. I pray and pray and pray, but I'm still so depressed. Most of the time I actually hate myself.
JAN: (Understandingly) You've had enough in your life to make one pretty angry.
KARLA: (After a pause, softly) Yes, I guess I am angry. I never thought about it that way. After all, I didn't ask to be born a girl. I mean, Dad really had his heart set on a boy. I can't change who I am.
JAN: So, you think God made a mistake?
KARLA: No ... (Shoves chair away from table, stares at the floor) And I know I've come a long way ... and God's always been there. But the journey to health for me has been so long. Years of damage don't go away over night. Sometimes I feel it isn't fair.
JAN: (With great understanding) I know this is going to sound trite. (Pauses) It wasn't exactly fair for Jesus either. He agreed to die -- for us. It's how we choose to handle the journey that makes the difference. We can decide to let life's bitter experiences rob us, or we can set those memories free through forgiveness. Each step brings us joy for the journey, a joy we never dreamed could be possible. (Very softly with much feeling) I know. My mother deserted me when I was only four months old. (Notes her guest's surprise) Oh, you didn't know that, did you? Guess it isn't something one normally talks about over a cup of coffee. She claimed she wasn't ready for motherhood. (Long pause as she studies her guest) If it weren't for the joy, you and I could not endure the journey.
KARLA: And God's always been faithful?
JAN: And God's always been faithful. The joy is always there. And I'll always be here whenever you need me.
KARLA: (Sighing) Joy for the journey. That's what I need -- desperately. Jan, will you pray with me?
(Hands clasped together across the table, both characters bow their heads)
Scene I
Setting: Biblical time frame. Two days after Christ's crucifixion
Characters:
MIRIAM: Young woman, a follower of Christ, new in her faith and very uncertain about the events of the last several days
HANNAH: Older woman, a follower of Christ, mature and reserved, steadfast and unmoving
Costumes: Biblical dress
Props: Draped boxes for sitting
Scene: Both women sit center stage
* * *
MIRIAM: (Agitated, in despair, kneeling beside HANNAH) Hannah, how can you sit there so composed? The world, a wonderful world where the Messiah would have ruled and reigned forever, is over. Hannah, we put all our hope in this man called Jesus -- and he is dead.
HANNAH: (Calmly, holds Miriam's face in her hands) But he will rise. I have his joy.
MIRIAM: (Taking Hannah's hand) Hannah, Jesus is dead. He is crucified. Don't you understand?
HANNAH: (Steadfastly) But he will rise. Don't you see, Miriam, it's as though I feel his very presence.
MIRIAM: (Almost disgusted) No one has risen from the dead. Hannah, I worry over you. You were there. You saw how he suffered. Yet you refuse to believe it!
HANNAH: (With compassion) Oh, Miriam, it is you who do not understand. There is a hope within me. A decision I have made. I choose to believe what Jesus said to us, that he would be delivered to the chief priests and scribes,who would scourge him and crucify him, and the third day he will rise. He will rise, Miriam. He will rise. Tomorrow is the third day.
MIRIAM: Hannah ... please, it has never been done. You will see.
HANNAH: (Serenely) Yes, I will see. I have never had a reason to doubt the Christ's words. I do not doubt now. With a strange new joy in my heart, I continue the journey of faith. Faith in my Lord and Master. He will never leave me or forsake me. Of that, I am certain.
Scene II
Scene: A wagon train headed west
Characters:
SARA: Young woman, uncertain, frightened, very open about her feelings
ANNA: Young woman wise for her years, a strong Christian faith
Costumes: Old-fashioned dresses and bonnets typical of wagon train dress
Props: Boxes for sitting, campfire, pot, utensils for stirring
Setting: It is evening. Two women sit before a wagon train fire stirring a pot of stew for the evening meal. They are both obviously very weary
* * *
SARA: (Sighs as she stirs, looking around) The coyotes are howling again. That sound sends shivers up and down my back every time I hear it.
ANNA: I know exactly how you feel. (Tastes stew) Ummm -- amazing what a fresh rabbit does to a few carrots and potatoes.
SARA: (Rubs her neck in weariness) I didn't think the wagons would ever stop for the night. (Pauses) Anna, you've just left a wonderful life in Philadelphia to follow your husband's dream to settle a homestead in the West. All your possessions are stuffed in one rickety covered wagon. You're expecting your first child. Aren't you afraid -- aren't you just a little angry?
ANNA: (Hesitates as though thinking) Are you afraid? Are you angry? You are doing the same thing?
SARA: (Sighing) I've cried so much, my heart is numb. I knew Adam was restless, but to take a new wife across a hostile land just for the sake of adventure -- (Fearfully) Do you know how many of this wagon train already lay beneath this God-forsaken sod?
ANNA: (Quietly) Yes ...
SARA: To answer your question -- yes, I'm afraid. Yes, I'm angry!
ANNA: (Pauses, looks off into the distance) The journey in life God requires of us is often into the unknown.
SARA: (Disgusted, stirs violently) If this is God's journey!
ANNA: (Pensively) I guess that's where you and I have to start. Is this God's journey?
SARA: (Stops stirring, hesitantly) Yes, it must be, for I admit I feel the Lord's presence every day. I can't explain it. It's as though I can reach out and touch him. Yet, it's so scary out here. People are giving up, quarreling, dying.
ANNA: People are also living. (Takes SARA's hand) God needs people of strength, people of prayer to follow the call on their lives wherever it might take them.
SARA: So ... you're not afraid?
ANNA: Yes, Sara, I'm often afraid, but the joy is always there. The joy is always there. (Whispering) God will see us through.
Scene III
Scene: Modern kitchen
Characters:
JAN: A woman of faith, bold, honest and straightforward
KARLA: A young woman, Christian, struggling with her past and her identity in Christ
Costumes: Modern, casual dress
Props: Table, coffee cups
Setting: Both women are sitting at a table drinking coffee
* * *
JAN: To what do I owe this time out? You never stop over in the middle of the day.
KARLA: (Breathlessly, sits back in chair and winces) Wow, you're not even going to let me do the small talk thing today, are you.
JAN: (Laughingly) Nope! I can tell by your face that you're loaded. Let's have it.
KARLA: (Grows serious, sighs, plays with a ring on her finger) Jan, do you think I'll ever be able to love myself? (Pauses) You know my past. First of all, I was supposed to be a boy ... and then I wasn't smart enough ... or pretty enough. I didn't get the college degree my parents wanted me to pursue. I chose to get married. I pray and pray and pray, but I'm still so depressed. Most of the time I actually hate myself.
JAN: (Understandingly) You've had enough in your life to make one pretty angry.
KARLA: (After a pause, softly) Yes, I guess I am angry. I never thought about it that way. After all, I didn't ask to be born a girl. I mean, Dad really had his heart set on a boy. I can't change who I am.
JAN: So, you think God made a mistake?
KARLA: No ... (Shoves chair away from table, stares at the floor) And I know I've come a long way ... and God's always been there. But the journey to health for me has been so long. Years of damage don't go away over night. Sometimes I feel it isn't fair.
JAN: (With great understanding) I know this is going to sound trite. (Pauses) It wasn't exactly fair for Jesus either. He agreed to die -- for us. It's how we choose to handle the journey that makes the difference. We can decide to let life's bitter experiences rob us, or we can set those memories free through forgiveness. Each step brings us joy for the journey, a joy we never dreamed could be possible. (Very softly with much feeling) I know. My mother deserted me when I was only four months old. (Notes her guest's surprise) Oh, you didn't know that, did you? Guess it isn't something one normally talks about over a cup of coffee. She claimed she wasn't ready for motherhood. (Long pause as she studies her guest) If it weren't for the joy, you and I could not endure the journey.
KARLA: And God's always been faithful?
JAN: And God's always been faithful. The joy is always there. And I'll always be here whenever you need me.
KARLA: (Sighing) Joy for the journey. That's what I need -- desperately. Jan, will you pray with me?
(Hands clasped together across the table, both characters bow their heads)
