NARRATOR

It’s been more than a year since Lisa and Jo had their conversation about compromise. Jo hasn’t seen her for ages and misses her company. She kind of pushed Lisa away but doesn’t know that if she told her how she was feeling, her best friend of many years would rush to her side straight away. Like Jesus, Lisa just wants to help Jo and remind her that forgiveness and restoration is always part of God’s plan.

 (Jo is sitting in the centre of the stage on a chair. She is looking uncomfortable and rubbing both arms. She is talking to the audience but doesn’t give much eye contact as she is embarrassed. Occasionally she looks up to the ceiling because she is thinking back to the past.)

JO

‘Didn’t want to be the odd-one-out,

It was better to be weak.

It was easier to compromise

than to be called a freak.

I thought I was missing out,

having no boyfriend,

but I wish I could have seen

how this was going to end.

People tried to warn me,

but I didn’t believe they cared.

‘Would have rather stayed single,

than have the wasted time we shared!

It seemed so wonderful…

I never felt so loved before,

but huh, Mark and I

are not together anymore.

I spent so much time with him –

he really had my trust.

I thought I really loved him,

now I see it was just lust.

(pause)

I miss those times

When I used to talk with Jesus.

When I joined my friends in church,

Mark just used to tease us.

I used to feel complete,

now all I feel is lack,

and all that I once had,

is now harder to get back!

(Pause. Jo looks up and prays.)

Lord, I willingly gave away

what once belonged to you.

All that Lisa told me,

turned out to be true.

But I didn’t want to listen,

I wanted my own way.

Disobedience costs a lot –

and now, I have to pay.

(Looks at the audience)

Oh, I had fun with Mark,

but nothing satisfied.

People came to warn me.

Oh, many people tried.

We had plenty in common,

as far as flesh was concerned.

But now that’s all over,

a big lesson has been learned.

For, our spirits were not joined.

There was nothing there.

I cared about my soul,

he cared about his hair.

I thought about death,

he thought about money,

I cried at the ‘Jesus film’,

he thought the film was funny.

(Pause as she looks around the room)

(If this is proving too long to memorise, Jo can pick up a bible that has the rest of the lines attached to the front cover and the inside covers – she can appear to be fondly embracing the book which she has so long ignored, by staring at it to surreptitiously read the lines, then clutching it to her chest as she recites)

It looked so enticing,

the picture that he painted,

but life out there’s not great –

and now I’m feeling tainted.

At the night club,

there were so many smiles,

hiding behind…

insecure lifestyles.

On the dance floor,

they all seemed athletic,

but ‘were superficial souls,

so shallow and pathetic.

They couldn’t offer me

the peace that I craved,

for they themselves had hearts

that were bleeding and depraved.

I was unaware

that with Mark, I was enslaved.

He was a living-dead,

because he wasn’t saved.

He was a living-dead

and I, a hypocrite,

who was carnally driven –

my faith, counterfeit.

He was a good person,

but good’s not good enough.

Everything God told him,

he would strongly rebuff.

I didn’t understand

our lives were far apart,

for we had different deities

living in our heart.

I became desensitised,

corrupt and degraded.

I was flippant and unfeeling,

while my love for Jesus faded.

(pause)

It’s so worth being single!

It’s so worth the wait!

I’ve cheapened my life

by having the wrong date!

A boyfriend’s not so cool

if the world is his attraction.

I’m a fool to love a fool –

he was such a distraction!

I want Jesus in my life,

for he knows what’s best for me.

His wisdom and guidance

will truly set me free.

I was blinded by what’s popular

and what appears to be cool,

but disobeying God,

shows I’m just a fool.

If only I had listened

and not gone my own way!

Disobedience costs a lot

and now I have to pay.

(Jo puts her feet up on the chair and rests her chin on her knees.)

NARRATOR

A fool despises his father’s instructions but he who receives correction is prudent, acting with care and thought for the future. (Proverbs 15:25)

For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

(Jo stares into space as the lights fade.)

-The End-