The toy wooden hammer from the Fisher-Price workbench makes the perfect microphone when granddaughter Emmalie takes center stage on the fireplace hearth. Her performance consists of new songs learned during this year’s Vacation Bible School. Her mom, Amie, prompts her when a word is misplaced. Other times, Emmalie skips over any lapses of memory with an invented word that keeps the verse in rhyme. As she concludes her performance, she lifts her arms in the air and bows. Kathy and I rise to our feet, cheer and clap. Emmalie knows she has an adoring audience.
Everyone wants to be loved –– to have someone stand and be amazed at who we are. Recently, I watched the Top Ten Best “Britain’s Got Talent” singers on YouTube. It was mesmerizing as performers’ tears poured as the crowds stood to their feet cheering and clapping.
One contestant confessed to the judges that she suffered from terrible stage fright. In a pre-performance interview, she confided that no one had come to the auditions with her: “If I’m not successful, I don’t have to admit that to anyone.”
She said that she feared her talent was “not good enough.” I could not help but think that it wasn’t about her talent; she felt she was not good enough as a person.
Alice Fredenham took a breath and her song came from deep within her. The crowd’s hush was deafening as they hung on every word of her rendition of “My Funny Valentine.” Before the last
chord was struck, the crowd and judges were standing on their feet. The woman was swept away by the audience’s outpouring.
The infamous Simon Cowell was amazed and showered his accolades. Alice’s head bowed and she wept.
“You have such an authentically beautiful voice, ” Cowell said.
He told her: “I absolutely love you and I love your voice. And I also love
the fact that you actually don’t even know how good you are.”
I have a healthy self esteem. That does not mean that I have ever taken to a talent show stage, but it does mean that I step onto the stage of life every day, stand up straight, square my shoulders, and face whatever might come. I was taught as a child that I “could.” I was surrounded by adoring family members who assured me that I was loved.
Sadly, there are those who feel it is their right to tell others that they are “not good enough.”
In fact, it is epidemic. I believe it pushes more and more people every day to the brink of despair.
Even worse, this toxic message falls on the ears of children ––those who we are entrusted with nurturing. It is a message far from the
heart of God.
The truth is God loves you so intimately that the most minute detail rests on His mind. He places His spotlight on you and focuses on you. You are valued. That’s God’s love for you.
We are not all going to perform on the next top-rated television talent show, but we can all stand out confidently knowing God loves and values us. So, grab the microphone, step into the spotlight, and sing your life’s song with all the gusto you can muster. The Creator of the Universe is standing cheering for you.
Article Written by Jim Edminson, Editor