RACE 4'?m6f Confession: the key to lightening your load

BACK

RACE     4'?m6f Confession: the key to lightening your load

STARTER -- (enters with starting gun raised) Take your mark.

HOLY -- (enters opposite wearing running clothes) 

(Other runners follow wearing running clothes, carrying large 
plastic bags stuffed with crumpled newspapers and labeled with 
large signs with their own names)

STARTER -- Get set.

(all runners sling bags over shoulder, crouch anticipating 
start)

GRUDGE -- Hey, wait a minute!

GUILT -- Yeah, hold on a minute!

STARTER -- Stand up.

(all runners stand, bend and flex legs)

STARTER -- Alright, what is it? We have a race to run here.

GRUDGE -- Yeah, but (points at Holy) she's not carrying 
anything!

GUILT -- Yeah, that's not fair!

STARTER -- What's not fair? The rule book doesn't require 
runners to run the race while carrying anything.

GUILT -- But it's not a fair race if we all have to carry a load 
while she gets to run without one.

STARTER -- Well, then, why don't you put your loads down and run 
without them?

GRUDGE -- Oh, I could never do that!

GUILT -- Me, either.

STARTER -- Why not?

GRUDGE -- Well, if I drop my grudge even for a second, it means 
that the person I have a grudge against will get away with what 
he did.

GUILT -- There is no way I could drop my guilt. It's my payment 
for things I've done wrong. 

ANGER -- If I drop my anger, I don't have any excuse to get 
even with the person who did me wrong.

REGRET -- I've got to keep carrying my regrets. It's the only 
way I can keep people from getting angry and disappointed with 
me again.

GRUDGE -- So, how come she (points) gets by without carrying 
anything?

GUILT -- Yeah. How come? 

ALL -- It's not fair.

STARTER -- Listen, I don't see how you can all expect to run a 
race while carrying such large loads. Maybe you should all do 
something else.

GRUDGE -- No! We're supposed to run the race. Apostle Paul says 
we're supposed to run the race.

GUILT -- That's right. Paul says we're supposed to run the race 
to win the prize.

STARTER -- Well, I've got news for you. You'll never win this 
race carrying such large loads.

GUILT -- It's not fair. How does she get by without carrying a 
load?!

STARTER -- Yeah, how about that? How is that you get by without 
carrying a load?

HOLY -- I'm a Christian.

GRUDGE -- Well, so am I.

GUILT -- Me too.

REGRET -- Me too.

ANGER -- Me too. We're all Christians.

STARTER -- Christians shouldn't be carrying such big loads, 
should they?

HOLY -- I don't think so.

STARTER -- Don't you ever carry a load?

HOLY -- I used to.

ALL -- You did?

HOLY -- But I found out I didn't HAVE to carry my own load.

GRUDGE -- You mean, you can get someone else to carry it for 
you?

HOLY -- Sure.

ALL -- Who?

HOLY -- Jesus.

GUILT -- You're kidding.

HOLY -- It's why he died.

GRUDGE -- That's where you're wrong, pal. Jesus died for our 
sins, not for our loads.

HOLY -- Anything that weighs you down IS a sin.

GUILT -- How could guilt be wrong if it reminds me not to sin 
again?

HOLY -- Because by relying on your guilt to keep you from 
sinning you don't rely on the Holy Spirit.

GRUDGE -- There's no way carrying a grudge could be sin. 

HOLY -- Yes, it is. By relying on your grudge to get even, you 
don't rely on the Lord. Scripture says "It is mine to avenge. I 
will repay says the Lord."

REGRET -- Well, if regret keeps me from disappointing people, it 
can't be a sin.

HOLY -- Relying on regret keeps you from relying on God.

ANGER -- Alright. I get the picture. There's no way I can 
justify carrying a load of anger.

GRUDGE -- So, how do we get rid of these heavy loads?

ANGER -- Yeah, how?

HOLY -- Confess it. 

REGRET -- Confess it?

HOLY -- Yes. Confess it and let Jesus carry your load.

GUILT -- You sure that's how it works?

HOLY -- It worked for me. 

GRUDGE -- What do we have to lose but our loads?

ANGER -- Listen, I've never confessed before could you...?

HOLY -- (to Starter) Listen, would you mind if we delayed the 
race for a few minutes while we go find a quiet place (points 
offstage) to confess our sins?

(all runners exit)

STARTER -- (follows) Not at all. In fact, if you don't mind, I 
have a few sins of my own to unload.
Š2007 Bob Snook. Conditions for use:
Do not sell any part of this script, even if you rewrite it.
Pay no royalties, even if you make money from performances.
You may reproduce and distribute this script freely,
but all copies must contain this copyright statement.
http://www.fea.net/bobsnook  email: bobsnook@fea.net

BACK