Improv, Faith, and the Fear of the Unknown
Ali Jones —
I’ve always had “first day of school” anxiety. My parents tell me that every year in elementary school, I would worry endlessly about where I’d sit, who my teacher would be, whether I’d have friends, and if I’d fit in with this new group of people. The unknown was overwhelming. But by the time I got home from that first day, I was usually fine—I had found my way, made a friend or two, and felt ready to go back.
Still, that “first day” fear has followed me throughout life. In fact, my most common recurring nightmare is showing up for the first day of a new semester and not knowing where any of my classes are.
When I try to reason with myself, I wonder: why do I feel like I need everything figured out before I even step into a situation? Why do I doubt that I can handle challenges as they come? Even with preparation, I still fear the unexpected.
That same fear spills into conversations I want to have about Jesus. The unknown of how someone will respond can stop me in my tracks. What if they misunderstand me? What if they ask a question I can’t answer? What if I damage our relationship? The “what ifs” pile up quickly.
I know I’m not alone. For many of us, the weight of these conversations feels heavy—almost as if another person’s entire destiny rests on our words. But here’s the good news: it doesn’t.
Ironically, for someone who loves to be prepared, I got thrown into improv as a high school sophomore. Over the years, I’ve learned how to step into the unknown with confidence—even when I don’t know how my words will land or how I’ll be received. What’s the biggest reason I can step out with confidence? I know I’m not alone. Improv is a team sport where everyone’s job is to make each other look like a genius.
The same is true when it comes to sharing your faith. You are not alone. You have Christian brothers and sisters who have your back and can echo what you share. Often when I start reaching out to a friend, I discover there is someone else in my friend’s orbit who is doing just the same.
And then, of course, there is the ultimate teammate—the one who commissioned you and then told you He’d be right by your side (Matthew 28:18-20). So even when you stumble, He is there to flip the script, support you, and turn your blunders into something far greater than you imagined.
Ali Jones majored in psychology and dramatic arts at UNC Chapel Hill and rounded out her education with a degree from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. For the past 18 years, Ali has been performing with Improv Charlotte with the support of her husband and growing family.
