 Silver Cord begins as the main character, Michael, returns to
the very room (an attic) where he had received Jesus Christ three years
earlier, however, now he is lamenting because somehow he has lost his first
love. He is desperate to find what he has lost because of the torment of
his own soul as well as not wanting to destroy his impending marriage,
which is only two weeks away.
To search out his lost glory, he rummages through an old chest
which symbolizes his heart and coming apart for introspection. As each
item is pulled from the chest, memories from his early walk with Jesus are
brought to life.
He remembers his zeal to share the Gospel and the responses from a
colorful group of characters from New Yorks' counter culture including the
self serving actor, Ian, the gothic philosopher, Moses, and the
psycho-therapist, Tony.
As he remembers the varied response to his witness, he also recalls
the vitality of his own progression of faith, the joy of fellowship, the
faithfulness of God to answer prayer, the shaping of his character as he
begins to grow to maturity in Jesus. (The Christian virtues of
1 Peter 1)
are explored and illustrated.)
Having cleared many major hurdles in his walk with Jesus, he
recalls the less challenging days of working at the church as a janitor and
the lax attitude that ensues. As he begins to depend of people more than
the Lord, he becomes vulnerable to "stumbling". A church split sends him
right into the path of a false teacher. Great, empty promises and claims
of supernatural power send Michael first to euphoric heights and finally
into rejection and confusion. (1 Peter 2)
Now feeling ashamed and alienated, he has returned to the attic.
Searching has helped him remember, but somehow he is not any better off
than when he began. He claims that even the promises of God seem trite in
the face of his pain. He wonders if he should just forget the whole thing
and walk away from his faith. Questions come so fast, he becomes
overwhelmed in despair.
Then he recognizes that the questions in his head are not just the
questions of his own heart but the condemnation of his spiritual enemy,
Satan.
As he recognizes the attack, he stands not on circumstance,
feeling, or analytical introspection, but the Word of God. He reads the
scripture out loud to drown out the turmoil of Satans' attack that screams
in his mind.
Finally realizing his misplaced trust, he declares that he will
stand in the liberty of the cross. Ready to face the joyful future and his
coming marriage, he reminds himself of the chest (representing his heart)
that once was so heavy now filled with the treasures of Heaven. A hope
chest! And of the other more glorious marriage he is looking forward
to-not the marriage to his wife, but the marriage of the Lamb at Jesus'
return. As the play ends, he cries out, "Even so, Lord Jesus come". (
1 Peter 3)
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