I’ve Got This!Quick Drama

Time5 minutes

DescriptionThis quick drama illustrates our need to invite God into our work.

Materials None

Preparation Practice the skit, and memorize the lines.

ProcedureUse the following script (or modify to suit your needs):

[SCENE: God is sitting patiently as John comes to work at the beginning of the day. God stands, brightens and smiles when He sees John, but John doesn’t notice God. God sighs and sits back down.]

JOHN: [Stretching, popping knuckles, getting ready for a day of work] “Whew! Tough day ahead! Lots of things to do. Let’s see….[pointing at imaginary things around the room] I’ve got to move this heavy thing and push on that unmovable boulder. Then, I’ve got to deal with this prickly cactus of a problem, and finally, I’ve got to diffuse this ticking time bomb. [sarcastically] It’s going to be a great day!”

GOD: “Good morning, John. Do you need any help with all that work?”

JOHN: [Looks back over his shoulder and notices God for the first time] “Oh, hi God. Thanks for the offer, but I’ve got this!”

GOD: [shrugs] “Okay, have it your way.” [watches with mild amusement and curiosity as

John tries to lift the first object. In the middle of John’s efforts, comes closer and squats down to get a better look.]

JOHN: [goes to the imaginary heavy object and tries to lift it. Grunts and strains. Tries different positions. Huffs, puffs and sweats but fails to lift it. Finally gives up in disgust.] “Well, that’s not ready to move. I’ll come back to it later.”

GOD: “You’re sure you don’t need any help?”

JOHN: [waving God off] “No, no…I’ve got this.” [moves to the unmovable boulder, walks around it and plans how he will move it]

GOD: [looking at the boulder and then at John] “That looks tough.”

I’ve Got This!Quick Drama

JOHN: [still looking at the boulder] “Yeah, I’ve been pushing on this boulder for months, and it hasn’t moved even a little.” [with new determination] “But, today’s the day!” [gets ready to push]

GOD: [looking concerned] “Uh, John…are you sure that’s the direction you want to push that?”

JOHN: “Pretty sure! I’ve tried everything else, so this has to work.”

GOD: [talking to Himself] “Hmmm….I don’t remember you asking me what to do with it.”

JOHN: [pushing and pushing on the boulder] “This…….time……you……are…..going……to…..move!” [gives it one last kick! Waits a few seconds in anticipation, then cheers as the boulder begins to roll down a hill.] “Ha! Yes! I finally did it!” [realizes in horror that the boulder is about to roll right through a crowd of people] Oh no! Oooooh no! Watch out, everyone! Move out of the way! Run! Run for your lives!”

[Both John and God cringe and cover their eyes as the boulder crashes into the crowd and creates a huge mess.]

GOD: [uncovering His eyes] “That didn’t go very well, did it?”

JOHN: [ashamed and uncovering his own eyes to see the damage] “No. What a disaster!” [then, with a look of hope] “Hey! Could you clean that up for me? Please! I promise not to do it again!”

GOD: “Well, there are going to be some pretty significant consequences, but I’ll get you through them. Just remember to ask for my help before you make a mess next time, okay?”

JOHN: [moving to the next challenge – the prickly cactus of a problem] “Yeah, sure God. You bet!” [looks at the cactus from multiple angles, trying to figure out how to move it] “Now for this prickly cactus of a problem.” [reaches in, and pricks his finger on a cactus spine] “Ouch! That hurt!”

GOD: “Hey, John. Are you sure you want to handle this on your own?”

JOHN: [sucking on finger] “It’s okay. I’ve got this. I know just the way to deal with things like this.” [pretends to put a blanket around the cactus] “I’ll just cover up the prickly parts, and then I’ll be able to move it.”

GOD: [looking doubtful]

I’ve Got This!Quick Drama

JOHN: [takes a few deep breaths, then bear hugs the cactus and moves it to the other side of the room, yelping all the way.] “Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ow! Ouch! [whines like a puppy]

GOD: [watches him go, shaking His head]

JOHN: [returns, gingerly removing spines from his arms, legs, chest and face. Grimaces and expresses pain as he pulls out each spine.]

GOD: “How did that go?”

JOHN: “Not so great, really. That’s going to hurt for awhile.”

GOD: “Yeah, I think so. Remember, I’m here if you need me.”

JOHN: “Thanks, God. I appreciate it.” [turning to the last problem – the ticking time bomb] “Now for this ticking time bomb just waiting to explode!” [looks thoughtfully at the bomb, trying to figure out what to do with it.]

GOD: Uh, John?

JOHN: [lost in concentration]

GOD: [more urgently] John?

JOHN: [oblivious to God’s question]

GOD: [shouting and startling John out of his concentration on the bomb] JOHN!

JOHN: [startled] “Yes, God?”

GOD: [stepping between John and the bomb and moving John to the side] “Why don’t you let me handle this one so that you don’t hurt yourself?”

JOHN: “But I can do it! I’ve got this!”

GOD: “John, stop and think about what has happened so far today. How is doing everything on your own working for you?”

JOHN: [sighing and dropping his head] “Not so great, I guess.”

GOD: “Right. Not so great. John, you don’t have to do the work alone. I’m right here, and I want to help.”

JOHN: “But I feel like it’s my responsibility and that I should be able to handle it.”

I’ve Got This!Quick Drama

GOD: “John, if I want something done, I can get it done myself. I don’t actually need you in order to get the work done.”

JOHN: [looking wounded] “Ouch!”

GOD: [putting His hand on John’s shoulder] “Listen to me. I don’t need you to do the work, but I want you to do it…with me. I enjoy our time working together. The problem is that you keep forgetting to invite me.”

JOHN: “It’s just that I’ve been doing this for years, and I feel I should be better at it by now. I want to do big things for you, and I want you to be proud of me.”

GOD: “John, I am proud of you! I delight in you! But I didn’t create you for the work; I created you for relationship. I just save some of the work for you so that we have something to do together.”

JOHN: “Does that mean you will still love me even if I don’t get the work done or if I make a mess of it?”

GOD: “Exactly! I’m not depending on you for the results. I’ll take care of those myself. I just want you to show up each day ready to help.”

JOHN: [visibly relieved, as if a heavy weight has been lifted off his shoulders] “Oh, wow, that’s a relief! I’ve been so afraid that you were going to be disappointed in me if I couldn’t do it all.”

GOD: [putting His arm around John’s shoulder and giving him a squeeze/side hug] “Relax, I’ve got this!”

[Both exit]

[END SCENE]

Debrief Questions1. What is your reaction to what you saw in the skit?2. In what ways do you relate to John?3. What is God saying to you through what you’ve seen and heard?4. What will you do differently as a result?

Source: Michael Kientz