In 2009 Susan Boyle stepped
onto the stage of Britain’s Got Talent Show. At the time she was a 47 year old
housewife from a small group of villages in the United Kingdom. She stepped on
stage, in a plain dress and looking much more like someone who might be cooking
a pan of cookies than someone getting ready to sing.
Susan was asked about her
dreams. She said it was to be a professional singer much like another popular
singer in Britain. When asked why she had never pursued the opportunity she
told them this was the first time she really had the opportunity. As the camera scanned the crowd, you could
see eyes roll and comments mouthed to neighbors. No one took the 47 year old
middle aged woman seriously. The song she had chosen to sing was “I Dreamed a
Dream” form Les Miserables. The music
began and before the first line of the song were finished rolling from her
voice the audience was in loud applause and the judges sat, mouths wide opened,
dumbfounded at Susan’s beautiful singing ability.
Here’s the link if you would
like to see the performance.
As I watched the video it
crossed my mind how leaders are always talking among themselves about their
dreams for the kingdom. We meet about it, discuss it, write about it and share
it with each other over and over. We at times even ask members to dream.
However, how often do we really ask those who sit in the pews, “What is your
dream for this church?” How often do we
sit and discuss with the lay people what they want to see the church becoming?
When they do tell the leaders their dreams, do leaders take the time to listen seriously?
It’s unfortunate, but many
times impressions of other’s ability or what they have to say is overshadowed
by some outward characteristic. If Susan Boyle had been a pretty mid 20 year
old woman the judges and crowd would not have had any reservations about her
dream. There would not have been eyes rolling, mouths opened or whisperings to
their neighbors. Likewise “in church” it is many times the case that the more
popular, more outgoing and sometimes even physical appearance that gets the
most attention and is listened to more intently.
I remember in the book of
Samuel how people were surprised when David was chosen king. He didn’t look
like a king! He was nothing like Saul in stature. In fact he probably smelled
from being around the sheep and was “in the band instead of being on the
playing field”. Yet he is the one God
chose and told the people 'I
have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything
I want him to do.'
I think it’s important to listen to the dreams of the members as well
as leaders. To listen intently at their passions. People will rise to serve
their passions for the Lord. Sure, their dream or passion may not be mine, but
that doesn’t make it less important or less meaningful.
Good leaders encourage
people to dream. They encourage people to find ways to fulfill their dream if
at all possible. Our goal is to build up in the hearts of God’s children the
desire to serve whether it be as an individual or a group. Leaders should be
careful not to “throw water” on the desires and dreams of others, lest they put
out the flames within their hearts for good, but rather be ready to fan the
embers that glow and help them become raging fire in their hearts for the Lord.
"I will not mention his word or speak
anymore in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up
in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
Jeremiah 20:9
