Britain's Got Talent!

Hi folks! What is it about music that stirs the heart, that ignites the fire and passion in the belly? But even greater than that, witnessing God use the humble to confound the wise when He chose to use the most unlikely person to stun the world. And here's the perfect example (I thought) to illustrate that.

Susan Boyle of Britain - from a town (which I have no idea where, a collation of little villages).

In this episode, Susan Boyle strutted on stage with a big wide grin. The video panned out to the audience, I can see disbelieve in their eyes. In fact, the video caught several folks who rolled their eyes or shook their head. For you see, she's not an attractive lady. She's 47 turning 48, unemployed and looked like an unpolished person. The air of disbelief hung heavily and you can almost see the following thought balloons popping out - "what talent does she have?" or "Come on, be real! Just look at yourself? You want to be Elaine Paige? You've got to be kidding me". You can tell that the judges (and the audience) already had the judgment meted out, and it's going to be 3 crosses - "thank you very much Susan and all the best in your singing efforts".

Susan told the judges she wanted to be like Elaine Paige, the queen of musical theatre. And she was not successful because she never had the chance to and was now hoping that the show will give her the opportunity to. The song she was going to sing is "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables (Of course, this is one of my favourite, if not the favourite musical, sung by Fontaine in the musical). (I remembered catching this musical with Edmund years ago when we were back in Singapore for our summer vacation and it was stunning - left both of us tearing, caught up in the passion of the drama and music).

The music started and she started singing. At the first note, instantly, all the jaws dropped and everyone burst out cheering! The impossible has happened! The cheering didn't stop and people started giving her a standing ovation! The judges faces showed their amazement at the most unlikely candidate! And she sung her heart out. Of course soaring on the wings of the amazing orchestration, she hit the high notes and the rest is history and she left the stage to the sounds of a standing ovation! She got 3 BIG Yes-es from the judges. (Funny thing was that she started walking away even before she heard the comments from the judges).

Time and again, Britain's Got Talent illustrated to the world God's principle - that He will choose to use the humble to confound the wise. He chose Moses, the stutterer and murderer. He chose Paul the persecutor. He chose Peter the fisherman, the apostle who usually puts his foot in his mouth. He chose me and gave me the opportunity and privilege to have led worship in church - it was a humbling experience and season. In the previous season, Paul Potts sung Nessun Dorma. This season we have Susan Boyle. Will she be the winner - no ones knows. But I do know 1 thing - that there is a gem in everyone. When God created the world and us, it was good. And I'm constantly reminded that I need to be a Barnabas - who saw the good and the potential in Paul or Mark and not give up. And we shall not and must not judge a book by it's cover.

A relentless belief in people. What a lesson today for me. Susan Boyle, I salute you.

And so my friends, enjoy this spectacular singing performance by Susan Boyle and be sure to keep tabs of her future appearance on Britain's Got Talent. (Click here to watch it on YouTube - I can't embed it on this posting).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

Blessings to all my friends!
My Daddy.