All of us have viewed live performances. There is excitement, spontaneity, and an energy that may not occur with filmed performances. Yet, there is also a risk that the actors can break character. This is when a character breaks the illusion that they are the character they supposedly portray. We have all seen examples of this, usually on live television or in performances. However, it is interesting when it occurs in a movie or filmed television show since the director decided to leave the scene as it happened. Here are examples of classic sequences, all non-live shows.
Top 20 Scenes Where Actors Couldn’t Keep a Straight Face – YouTube
When actors break character, it can be viewed as a sign of inexperience or genuine humanness. Either way, it is unexpected and usually amusing. Whether as an actor or in real life, there are expectations on how we should act and the roles we are expected to play. When we do not, it is unexpected but not always amusing.
I am always astounded by how God gives us so many intimate details about His great saints. If I was writing the Bible, I would want to present the very best portrait of each character. Yet, God includes many unexpected and not always amusing examples of behavior. There is Noah getting drunk after the Flood. There is King David’s adulterous affair with Bathsheba. Even the Apostle Paul had a very out-of-character exchange, recorded by the Holy Spirit, in the Book of Acts.
After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care. Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there.
Acts 15:36-41 (NLT)
That was unexpected and not amusing. God’s chosen missionary to the Gentiles had a heated argument with his fellow missionary, Barnabas. Paul did not want to take fellow missionary, John Mark, with them since he had deserted them on the prior missionary journey. The Bible does not give us the details but one can imagine the tone and high emotions of a disagreement so sharp, it forced Paul to separate from Barnabas.
God deliberately left these examples in the Bible. He exposes all of our sins and faults, not so we may denigrate others, but to be grateful for His grace and mercy to accept us, even when we break out of character.
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
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