"If I'm lacking in anything and you love me, teach me." - Mimi Collie

There's a practice we have in the art world when preparing for a concert, showcase, exhibit, etc.; it is the giving of performance notes or feedback as we get closer to presenting ourselves and the artwork to the audience. They are the notes given by the main director as we practice the material and make certain everything looks good and is executed with excellence. The director knows that some hiccups are inevitable, and he or she wants to provide the most help in readying the performers. Our audience is made up of many eyes watching us dance about, but only one person has ultimate say of the performance's success: the director, as this is their work and we are merely their muse.

Performance Notes consist of anything from proper staging, to body placement, the lighting, our disposition, our energy, and the movement choices we make. The director shares what is looking good so far and what is weak or needs more attention; they correct mistakes and give praise. They DO NOT allow just anything to be presented, and if the choreography is being done incorrectly, this is the time to advise of a change/a turn away from the way the dancer has been moving. The director ultimately knows that once the material is performed, there is no turning back - the audience has seen it. The deed is done.

So I consider then our lives and how once we have finished this life's performance, there is no turning back (1 Corinthians 15:44b-49). It is imperative that we heed to the performance notes given now by the Director, and share those notes with one another so that we are all on the same page as to what is right and wrong in the Director's book - always seeking to learn the best way to perform the Lord's choreography in life. We simply cannot rewrite the Director's notes for our personal preference if we truly desire to represent Him.

Galatians 6:4-5

"Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life."

I watched the "Who Killed Malcolm X" documentary on Netflix last month, and I heard a statement that brought me back to this "performance notes" thought. A gentleman was asked if it bothered him to know about the adulterous allegations of Elijah Muhammad, and the idea of the prophet going against his own teachings by having multiple affairs, and he replied (I paraphrase): "No, why should it? Does it bother you as a Christian to know that David looked over his backyard and saw Bathsheba, and said "I want her" even knowing she was married?" So, I had to answer him, of course: 1. yessss, it bothers me. My own sin bothers me! It should bother every believer, but even more than that, 2. your response does not defend your stance. As Christians, we do not follow the teachings, commandments, and life work of David. We follow Jesus Christ, and had He the Savior of the world gone against the Father and sinned tremendously in any way that He commands us to follow, it should and would have brought about a unified pause. But He did not...

I am not saying because we are bothered by our own or each others' sin that people lose merit in the work they've done or we judge them to no end - absolutely not; that would be us eliminating grace, which is not our place, but if we don't put sin-nature in its place, it will get out of hand. We will love people to the point of no correction, and I love too many curlfriends to watch us self-perish - (un)intentionally - without repentance - separated from the voice of God.

Now, David is STILL one of the greatest men to exemplify strength and tenacity against lions, bears, giants, and kingdoms within the Bible. We, to this day, marvel at his life's work, but recognize that he was only human as well. We DO NOT worship him, and his transgressions are teaching tools for us, not events to be swept under the rug. This gentleman's refusal to acknowledge the wrong of Elijah Muhammad and to say it did not matter is problematic. We allow a lot to skate by, because we admire, adore, follow, love, and "stan" others. It is not important to point out each other's wrongdoings publicly, for the sake of judging and condemning, but we must be flat-footed and clear on right and wrong (Matthew 18:15-17). There is no gray area with God. I cannot say I love God and you, yet stay intimately close to your life and not share holy truths as we perform. Note the key phrase "intimately close," because I do not simply approach strangers or distant acquaintances proclaiming "you're living wrong," "God doesn't approve, "He doesn't want that from you." That gives more attention to me and lessens the creditability of the words I am speaking. However, with the people whom I have become close with, and we have found that God has us living out our choreography/performance together, I have an obligation to share Godly performance notes. Whether they are accepted is between you and the Director, but what a weak theology for me to have to know better and not speak on it.

Think of the ways to give performance notes in this manner:

Intimate relationship = speaking words of advisement

Distant association = live by example

Bringing us back to the point that most of Elijah Muhammad's followers were so devout to him that very few would call out his incorrect practices…

Now, I know the Nation of Islam has its own beliefs and creeds, but to illustrate this particular point, how can we claim to love each other and watch as we intentionally do wrong, not urging one another to turn away from sin - why would that not be bothersome to this documentary gentleman? Why would I want you to get on "stage" and not be fully prepared to perform well - if I truly loved you? I would not be doing my best as a part of the troupe, would I (Matthew 28:20)?

Curl Check:

It seems that we do that a lot out of "love" or adoration, taking people off the hook because of the discomfort of giving someone notes and advising that what they are doing is wrong or misaligned. If we learn to do it in love, checking ourselves first, it won't be as daunting. One day it will be too late, and no notes will be given. There will be no more excuses of "I love them too much to hurt them," or "it's just a little...," or "I don't understand the big deal..."

1 Corinthians 15:50

"Brothers, I tell you this: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, and corruption cannot inherit incorruption."

We behave as if we would rather be separated from our loved ones in eternity to keep them while in the flesh. I read a quote that said, "your flesh does not care if you go to hell because it knows that it won't [be there]" - author unknown. Quite the sting and strong statement, but it would benefit us to question ourselves and those we love with "Is what I am preparing to do in alignment with what the Director has advised?"

James 5:19-20

“My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”

Consider this as well, it is not always a matter of rebuking one another, but redirecting. You may be the mouthpiece someone needs in order to turn even their good intentions back to God for consultation. Remember, performance notes are not singularly in reference to the wayward movements we make, but the choices that are not aligned with the choreography God has for our life.

In 1 Chronicles 17, as King David desired to build a house for the Lord, not wanting His presence to be assigned only to a tent, God spoke through Nathan relaying a message of redirection. He did not desire a house to be built for Him, His place was tent-to-tent and tabernacle-to-tabernacle. He needed David to understand that "the Lord will build you a house. And it shall be, when your days are fulfilled, when you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your seed after you, who will be of your sons, and I will establish his kingdom" (verses 10c-11).

In essence, performance notes, whether divinely revealed or relayed by others, are to add to our understanding of God and His desires for us.

So, what are some clear "Performance Notes" to follow? As stated before, they can range from a plethora of topics. Here are just a few:

1. Proper staging - where you are located; are you doing your very best where you are located? Are you operating in comparison to others or honoring your particular position? Are you even in the right position and placement?

2. Body placement - how you treat your temple; are you putting yourself in positions to receive promotion or have you settled in compromising situations? Is you body valued and respected by your actions?

3. Lighting - finding your righteous spotlight; are you boldly shining in your individual gifts, seeking to use them to illuminate the greater message of your life - sharing the brightness of hope, love, and beauty in God's presence?

4. Disposition - our character and outlook; the cheerfulness needed to do those things you do not desire, and the reassurance to remember that every trying situation is under the authority of God. Are you practicing gratefulness for where you currently stand?

5. Energy - the personal ethic and dedication of your work; your life's responsibilities - are they burdensome to you or a blessing? Are you standing on a strong foundation in your decisions or do you waver in doubt? Do you give the small tasks as much focus as you do the large?

6. Movement choices - the totality of how you operate; are you forgiving quickly, taking advice, using discernment, hating evil, sharing love, looking for goodness everywhere, etc.?

As we continuously present the artwork of God to the world, let's be mindful of His notes for us, and be accountable to each other as we perform. What the Director desires should supersede our preferences. What are some performance notes the Lord has given you? I'd love to hear how you're moving as the Director assigns.

Smile, Shine, and Love, Curlfriends!

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I love you, Curls!