There’s A Whole Lot of Judging Going On
Susan Boyle
Susan Boyle, the overnight sensation from TV’s Britain’s Got Talent was initially judged by her appearance. When she walked out on stage, the dowdy, graying, 47-year-old was anything but the image of a professional singer. The judges and audience rolled their eyes and snickered.
A few notes into her song, however, their opinions changed. This “old” woman could sing! Beautifully! The judges’ jaws dropped. The audience stood to their feet and cheered wildly.
Now the never-married, unemployed, small village singer is a worldwide phenomenon. Picked up by American television and YouTube, Susan Boyle has gone viral.
We get the message–don’t judge a book by its cover. Slick packaging, Hollywood glamor, and ageism have all taken a hit. Susan defies those definitions.
I believe something even bigger is going on. With much of the world stymied by financial reversals and anxiety about the future, God has plucked a humble woman out of a Scottish village and set her on the global stage. He is sending us a message:
“I’ve given every human being a gift–a way of contributing to the healing of the world. Unwrap your gift and give it! You will be amazed at what I can do through you.
Remember Susan Boyle!”
-God
The problem is the judging going on–yours and mine. We sit with our figurative gavels and pronounce ourselves:
Not special.
Unqualified.
Unworthy.
Mediocre.
Uncreative.
Not worth the effort.
What God calls good, we decide is not good. We withdraw from the tryouts. We hide and wait–for what?
Susan Boyle threw caution to the wind and gave it a try. God used her effort and wowed us.
What about YOU?
What would you do if you stopped judging yourself and gave your dream a try?
Loved this. I struggle with both sides. Judging and being self critical. Deciding I’m not good when God says otherwise.
GREAT push in the right direction. Towards GOD’s calling to help others.
Thank you.
Yes, self-judgment is a killer – I can attest to that. But that’s why I think God has given Susan Boyle the visibility she has right now. More of us will be encouraged to let ‘er loose!
Ooooh, I was quick to recognize that I had pre-judged Susan Boyle just as much as her audience had, but I hadn’t considered that I am also pre-judging myself. I think self-judging may be a harder problem to correct???