i don't believe it!?! song selection means something!?!

so, i've had some time on my hands :-) back in the day, when it first began, i was an american idol fan. a few seasons in, i lost interest and only watched the audition highlights--like the 'best of' or 'worst of' episodes. this season i have been watching, because as i said, i have had some time on my hands and it gives me something to do and follow. i have become a fan because of the judges and their feedback, the performances, the singing and musical aspects, of course and--oddly enough--the song selections.

this past week, one of my audition favourites (i had 2, and they are both in the final 5--do i have an ear for music and an eye for star quality, or what?!? :-) ) made an impressive song selection by choosing to sing a song for which one of the judges is famous. the contestant sang the song almost effortlessly and to rave reviews, unlike some other contestants who severally and severely got critiqued for their song selection, in addition to their interpretation and performance. this season, the contestants seem to have often struggled with song selection and are reminded that the song matters and choosing should not be taken lightly. the song should showcase all the unique qualities of a singer's voice, indeed, but there should also be a connection. the audience should be able to tell what the song means to the singer, even if they don't know all the intimate details associated to the singer's impression of the song.

now, because you're no doubt wondering, the song was mariah carey and whitney houston's "when you believe." the contestant sang a very convincing rendition, nailing it, knocking it out of the park, leaving the other contestants in her wake. it actually brought me to tears.

which brings me to my interest and point of view.

let me explain.

there are lots of analogies out there about life and living. i often use the journey one and taking every stage in stride, or the book one and writing chapters...i'm sure you understand my point...

in this entry i'm employing the analogy that life is a song you sing. let's ignore the fact that every day could realistically be a different song (because let's be honest, that is the beauty and power of music), and assume today, right now, in this moment like it's your last, like your staying in the contest depends on the song you select and sing, and that there's one song for you to sing...for me (for the past few days) it would be "there can be miracles." the song addresses hope versus doubt (because let's be honest, sometimes we wonder if our prayers are being heard and if they will be answered, looking for proof of the same), courage versus fear (because let's be honest, sometimes i think we are afraid to ask for exactly what we want for fear of rejection, or that we will get some other modified version of what we want), resilience versus frailty (because let's be honest, sometimes we feel like we can't possibly bear it). it espouses faith and belief in the face of uncertainty and emotional upheaval. it suggests that your miracle already exists and it's yours when you believe. not if. when.

i think God has given me exactly the right amount of faith and belief to experience the miraculous. do  i believe miracles happen because of me? no, i believe God has got the miraculous covered, but He waits for evidence of faith and belief in people, however small it may seem to me. i don't think God needs much to work with...but He does want some proof that we believe...not because we consider ourselves exemplary christians or good people, but because we realize this isn't something we can do on our on. i believe i can be made well and whole...not because i can do it...but because i believe God can. there are lots of promises presented to us...not in a carrot on a stick sort of way...but in a way that let's a person know in their darkest hour there is still hope, faith, belief and there are results for engaging in any or all of them...and on the days we can't do it for ourselves, someone can believe for us. i know.

"they don't always happen when you ask,

and it's easy to give in to your fears.

but when you're blinded by your pain--

can't see your way clear through the rain--

a small, but still, resilient voice
says help is very near."

so, remember: the song you select today matters.. it matters to your health, it matters to your mind, it matters to your audience, it matters to your experience of life...and it might even matter to your survival...and whether you are on the world stage or in the quiet of your secret place, you've gotta believe it.

because there is "in our hearts a hopeful song we barely understood. now we are not afraid although we know there's much to fear. we were moving mountains long before we knew we could. there can be miracles when you believe. though hope is frail, it's hard to kill."

oh, and by the way...faith beats fear every time.

so believe it. 

and sing accordingly.

:-)