Upon returning home from an overnight trip to Kentucky to see my son and family, my wife, Linda, informed me that the latest performance of Britain’s Got Talent sensation, Susan Boyle, was now available on YouTube. No problem finding it. USA Today had the link right under the headlines and I was in awe again as my emotions were manipulated and overcome.
Susan had nothing to lose and everything to gain when she wowed the audience with her performance of “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Miserables, which was viewed some 60 million times on YouTube. This time, she sang “Memory” from Cats to a much more respectful and expectant audience and panel of judges who gave her another standing ovation.
What intrigued me was the USA Today front page where under the headlines they list the five most popular stories. As of Monday night, the two most popular stories were on Susan Boyle, items three and four were a murder in Arizona and another shooting in Ohio that resulted in the police shooting the gunman dead. Number five on the list was about world response to the North Korean nuclear test.
How could Susan Boyle top the North Korean nuclear threat?
So much of the news is bad news that Susan Boyle’s rendition of two songs about dreams for better days and of a “new day” has captured the hearts of millions and inspired people with hope.
Daylight
I must wait for the sunrise
I must think of a new life
And I musn’t give in
When the dawn comes
Tonight will be a memory too
And a new day will begin
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But as much as I’ve enjoyed Susan Boyle’s voice and look forward to her singing gift being more widely available, I still have to face the reality of this dangerous world where sin does what sin does, and leads to death.
My greater hope is in the One who conquered sin and death on the cross and leads to eternal hope. As I read in Isaiah just yesterday,
Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy.” Isaiah 26:19 ESV
Enjoy the singing of Susan Boyle! But for substance you can build your life on, keep reading the amazing prophecy of Isaiah in the Bible. And put your eternal hope in Crucified, Risen and Returning Jesus Christ, the King of all kings!
Tom Macy 