(Congratulations to Siya and the boys! Thank you for helping to bring our country’s people closer together!)

In America’s Got Talent 2018, extremely shy 13-year old Courtney Hadwin walked out on stage. Her voice trembled as she spoke and she was so stressed that when one of the judges asked her what her favourite music genre was, she giggled and responded: “I don’t know.”

I could hardly keep on watching, because I simply can’t stand it when people embarrass themselves like that on stage before an enormous audience. It seemed to me as if Courtney was seriously qualifying for that.

But I kept on watching with one eye, and with the first note she sang my other eye jumped to the screen too. I couldn’t believe what I saw. She was singing brilliantly. That little girl had an amazing voice.

Howie Mandel, one of the judges, loved it, especially the Janice Joplin (a singer from the sixties) song she sang. Briefly, he told the story of how the president of Columbia Records, Clive Davis, saw her once on a stage at the Menterey music festival and immediately offered her a contract.

Howie was visibly excited about Courtney’s performance. Then he said: “I’m not Clive Davis. I can’t give you a record contract. But what I can do is to push the golden buzzer.” (Sending her directly to the final live broadcast.)

This 13-year old little girl was speechless. Her dad rushed onto the stage and she started crying. I did too. All 10 times I watched it again …

Courtney’s life will never be the same.

She was an ordinary little girl and would probably have remained that way if Howie hadn’t pushed her to a next level. She lived as an ordinary little girl, not born as a star yet. He actually gave her the life of a star.

In a way that is what God does with Jesus too. Jesus died on the cross. He was dead. He went to hell and there was no sign of life in Him. ⁸ … Jesus … raised from the dead.

The simple story of Howie and Courtney gives me a little insight into what God did. Without God, Jesus would not have been raised from the dead. Jesus would have remained dead.

This tells a story of our almighty God and show us how much power He has. We humans have no control over death, but God controls it by simply breathing life back into Jesus. Our God is great and it is indeed this great God who loves you and me.

How wonderful to realise that on the one hand God is so great, so almighty, and on the other, overflows with love for us ordinary sinners. That’s why we can live life like people who are already victorious. That’s why we can live with joy and peace and need not be afraid of any ball the enemy throws at us, because our God is greater!

⁸Fix this picture firmly in your mind: Jesus, descended from the line of David, raised from the dead. Never forget what God Trinity has done. They walk with us through life. Let’s continue to glorify and praise Them, because indeed through this praise we are changed, and able to face life.

Scripture
2 Tim 2:8-13

Reflection
How big is your picture of God?
Do you praise God enough?
Do you step bravely out into the world because you know your God?

Prayer
Jesus, I never want to forget that You were dead and came alive again through the power of our Heavenly Father. By Your power I can also live a life of victory full of blessings from You. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Amen.