"The Room Where It Happens"

This week, thanks to a very thoughtful birthday gift from my friend Kate, I had the opportunity to see Hamilton in Atlanta.

Before I go any further, can we just talk about how cleverly brilliant Lin-Manuel Miranda is? Every time I hear the songs I find something new to be blown away by. From my first time of hearing about it while in Thailand to long bus rides to listening to the soundtrack while in labor post-epidural to watching the Disney+ recording of the original cast and finally to seeing it live, it truly is amazing. 

I was again reminded about how I feel for Aaron Burr. The story is told with his life running parallel to Hamilton’s, and Aaron wants to be in the seats Alexander occupies. His jealousy and frustration blossoms into eventual murder (spoiler #readahistorybook) which I in no way endorse, OBVIOUSLY, but odds are everyone can relate to the general experience of bumping up against a more successful person. 

Even in recent moments, I’ve experienced the pang of wishing I were included in some social event or discussion. In other words, resonating deeply with wanting to be “in the room where it happens.”

I, I wanna be in the room where it happens

The room where it happens

I wanna be in the room where it happens

The room where it happens

The lyrics and narration by Burr morph from a third-party observer (“no one else was in the room where it happened”) to owning how he wants to be in the room. 

I so get that.

In different seasons, communities, moments I’ve had the experience of being aware something important was going on, but I didn’t receive the invite. 

Ouch. Painful.

While sitting in the Fox Theater earlier this week, hearing the song live, and watching Burr eventually conclude “the world was wide enough for both Hamilton and me,” I felt a nudge from the Lord. 

What is so important about being in the “room,” whatever room means for you in a circumstance where you are wanting to be present but are not? 

The Lord’s response was this to me:

You’re looking at the wrong room.

While the desire to want to be included in ~insert your inclusion ambition or desire~ is not inherently wrong, being excluded from something does not need to develop unhealthy fruit (particularly if it involves shooting one of your friends).

At the root, I sensed the Lord reminding me that the underlying message is the need or desire for the approval of other human beings. Approval of man. 

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:10

When I think about the rooms I want to be in, is my first desire to be in the ones where I know the Lord will be present? He is with us always, but does that certainty shape my perspective? Is He any less with me if I am in certain “rooms” or not? No.

The important room where important things are happening is wherever the Lord wants me to be and where He is being glorified. 

Sure, the sting of not being included is real and can be painful, but our ultimate acceptance by the One who matters is not contingent on other human beings.

Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now.

Also, invest some time in listening to Hamilton, at the very least, if you have not yet done so. It’ll change your life.