First Reactions

For the past two days television news programs and other news services have been all a-buzz about the newest singing sensation from Brittain's Got Talent - her name is Susan Boyle. She has the most amazing voice. If you have been hiding under a rock and have not yet seen her performance you have to take the time to watch it. Right now! Click the link below. Don't worry, I'll be here when you get back.

Watch Susan Boyle Sing

See what I mean? Wasn't she amazing? I wish I had one ounce of that singing voice. But, her voice isn't what has been gnawing at me from the first moment I watched the video. Did you notice the initial reaction from the judges and from the audience? Susan walked on stage and immediately snickers could be heard. No one, not even the judges, attempted to hide their mocking. Some actually showed disgust that she was on stage. It was as if they were saying that this woman wasn't worth anything.

Why?

Why would she not be worth anything? Why would they assume that she did not have any talent? Is it because she did not look the part? Hmmm - she was dressed very nicely, walked calmly onto the stage and, like anyone else in her position as a contestant on a show, nervously answered the questions posed to her. Even the judges admitted that the audience was laughing at her when she came out, that everyone was against her.

Again, I ask, why?

Why is it that we are so quick to judge people based on our first reactions, our first impressions? Why is it that we are so quick to judge anyone at all? Why is it that we are so quick to mock our fellow brothers and sisters? Isn't there enough pain and suffering in the world? Why is it that we are so quick to inflict pain on others? (Hmmm - you may be saying I don't inflict pain on anyone. I ask you this - have you ever joked or made snide comments about how someone looks, talks, dresses, acts, etc? Don't you think those things cause pain?)

This has been something that has been bothering me for a long time. Maybe it has been on my mind because of the deluge of Reality TV shows that feed society's need to place itself at least one step above others. Maybe it has been on my mind because so many people have the need to make others feel bad in order to feel good about themselves.

Now, I need to insert a quick note. I am not trying to be holier-than-thou with this post. I have been as guilty as anyone else - it's human nature, everyone has done something like this at least once in their life. I haven't seen an official study on the matter but my gut is telling me I am probably right.

That said, I have, for a very long time, been trying to halt my instinctive first reactions , my first impressions, and get to know people for who they are - not judge them and classify them in any way. If I truly believe that each and everyone of us is made in the image of God (and I do) then we are all made beautiful. By our very nature we are beautiful. By our very nature we are loved. Watching the video of Susan Boyle that very first time I saw an extremely beautiful woman. She exuded warmth, gentleness, hope, and love. She was following a dream she had been dreaming for 35 years - since she was 12 years old. She had never before been given the chance to pursue her dream. What an absolute shame that is - the world was robbed of all the beautiful music she could have been making.

Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness."
Genesis 1:26, NRSV

God is love,
God is grace,
God is hope,
God is reconciliation,
God is redemption,
God is . . . .

My hope is that we all start living into the reality that we are created in the image of God. And, more importantly, my hope is that we will take the time to recognize that everyone is created in God's image. I hope we will all make a very real attempt to pause our first reactions, our first impressions, (and maybe even second, third . . .) and get to know people for who they are. We just may see the beauty in everyone and the amazing gifts that they have to offer the world. Can you imagine what our world would look like? Can you imaging what our world would be like? We just may get a glimpse of heaven.