Britain’s Got Talent?

After years of successfully avoiding it, I finally succumbed to giving ‘Britain’s got Talent’ some of my valuable TV time during the semi finals.

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My precious Unique has been shown a few clips at school of the younger wannabes as examples of ‘talent’ and she successfully persuaded (or should I say manipulated – too harsh) me to record it and watch it.

I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by the variety and levels of talent on show. My personal favourites, the young troupe of dancers from ‘The Royal Family’ and Jasmine Elcock were very good performers. I especially enjoyed the 10 year tribute featuring different acts that have taken part, including Diversity who thoroughly demonstrated why they won and are still popular today.

One thing that struck me as I watched the semi finals and the final is that talent is not necessarily a prerequisite for advancing through the process. However, popularity and novelty can be. For some of the acts, talent did not have to be part of the criteria to win the approval of the judges or the audience; just a willingness to take extreme risks or to make a complete fool of yourself. How this constitutes as talent, I am not sure.

For others, if you are fortunate enough to win the favour (and consequently the efforts of the promotional machine) of one of the judges, then you have got it made. Dress up in Stormtrooper costumes and perform a funny dance routine then Bob… or Simon is your uncle. As soon as magician Richard Jones performed his simple but very effective card trick, conjuring up all the emotions associated with wartime nostalgia and patriotism, I knew he was going to win.

What a relief that we do not need to jump through such hoops – literally – for our Heavenly Father. We never have to achieve a perfect performance, take extreme risks, deliver our lines faultlessly, develop an innovative routine or achieve perfect pitch in order to win his approval. We have his unconditional love and approval because of who HE is and never because of what we can or cannot do; nor because of what we are, or are not.

4 But when God our Saviour revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

Titus 3 (NLT)

It took me far too long in my walk with Jesus to realise that…but once I did, the creative opportunities have kept coming.

We never have to risk his rejection either. Each day we make dozens of mistakes; the things we say to others, the thoughts that cross our minds, the way in which we respond to unexpected events or the actions of others. Yet he never marks down our performance or critiques every act as though it were a poor choice of song or unimaginative routine.

We never have to compete with anyone else either. We are never ranked. We are free to just live our lives for an audience of one, as he lovingly moulds and shapes us within a loving relationship. That is how he shows us how to improve. I can physically feel the weight come off my shoulders as I write this.

3 have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. 4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you. 5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.

Psalm 86 (NIV)

Unique hopes to audition for Britain’s Got Talent one day and I hope she won’t. Not least because as her mother, I instinctively want to protect her from the possibility of very public criticism or disappointment; but also because I know that that is not where her validation and worth comes from. As an adolescent, she is at a vulnerable stage in her life. Nor is it the highest level to which she can aspire and I want her to experience performance in its various incarnations. But, if she is determined, then I won’t stop her; but do my best to walk through it with her.

I did think the dog was cute though.