Susan Magdalane Boyle (born 1 April 1961) is a Scottish singer who came to international public attention on 11 April 2009, when she appeared as a contestant on reality TV programme Britain’s Got Talent, singing “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables. Her first album was released in November 2009 and debuted as the number one best-selling CD on charts around the globe.

 Matthew 2 [2]  Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

If I had to choose the most inspiring person in 2009 – it would no doubt for me be Susan Boyle. Not because she is an obvious success as her first album tops the charts and the audience applaud yet another performance.  It is not even that her talent is exceptional and her songs well chosen – it’s her life that sings to the heart. Many will discover through listening to her story the joy of beginning afresh even at the twilight of life…

Boyle remains active as a volunteer at her Catholic church in Blackburn, visiting elderly members of the congregation in their homes.  An awkward inelegant stocky spinster she was…swinging ungracefully for years between mental anguish, depression and loneliness…with few friends and fewer invitations. Almost 50, she picks herself up…with little support or encouragement.  I watched her video on the TV Programme and observed the audience snigger mockingly as she clumsily introduced her act.  Susan’s life sang…and the mockery ceased.

Everybody loves a Cinderella story because we have an intrinsic secret wish (or shall I say weakness) to experience the fairy tale transformation chapters in our lives.  In the dark silent night at the height of the Recession of 2009…we saw suddenly in Susan Boyle an unusual glitter that required no major investment or smart money manager. ..and nothing could stop.  A true star takes us off-guard in its beauty and somehow can not be brought down.  We thank God for her late mother who saw what God had put in her daughter and continued to encourage her all through the dark years.  We thank God she was not created a  svelte and witty genius with long beautiful blonde hair. We thank God for isolating her enough to produce a fresh uniqueness that sparkles in a world exhausted with strange images, hype and self promotion. We thank God for the challenges that made her so authentic… 

The Bible said the wise men saw a star in the dark silent night that led them to Jesus.  As you listen to Susan sing “Silent night” in her debut album  - remember what she said…It’s not a beauty contest. Discover what God has put in you, has asked of you and shine at it… like Isaac as he dug wells and was resisted… do keep moving forward. Let them think what they wish …

“If I had to select one quality, one personal characteristic that I regard as being most highly correlated with success, whatever the field, I would pick the trait of persistence. Determination. The will to endure to the end, to get knocked down seventy times and get up off the floor saying. “Here comes number seventy-one!” “…Richard M. DeVos

I pray God’s encourager – the Holy Spirit…will speak a word to move you into a fresh beginning…I pray all the challenges of previous years will be mysteriously turned to assets…I pray you will laugh and feel you cannot stop laughing…I pray you will be perfected in Christ and will shine and lead people not to yourself but to what your great God can do…I pray you and many through you will come to Christ and become what God had created all of us to be – in our unique way…STARS of God.  A Holy Nation, not to be worshipped, but rather to encourage others to salvation in Christ Jesus.  

I Peter 2 [9]  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Boyle who will earn we are told at least £10m next year still lives in the family home, a four-bedroom council house, with her 10-year-old cat, Pebbles.

I pray Christ perfects and keeps her and us all unspotted and without blemish till that day … that soon coming day…somewhere in eternity where a great assembly will be applauding …but this time, for winning the real contest.

Enjoy the holiday season

 
Bode