August 31, 2026 – Daily Devotional
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” -Isaiah 43:19
Susan Boyle is a Scottish singer who came to fame in a most unusual way. At the age of 48, she took a risk and auditioned on the show, Britain’s Got Talent. Susan was nervous about stepping onto such a large stage. When she walked onto the stage, she was facing a massive crowd who had gathered in the 3,000-capacity auditorium. Not only was it a full audience, but the T.V. lights were also bright, and sitting in the front row were the infamous Britain’s Got Talent judges.
As Susan Boyle stood nervously before Simon Cowell and the other judges, she told them that she wanted to be a “professional singer.” The judges looked at her with doubt clearly marked on their faces. Susan was nervous. In fact, she had tried to back out of the audition, but her voice coach talked her into at least giving it a try. The judges were kind when she explained that she had never performed in front of such a gathering.
The music began to play, and an amazing voice emerged from Susan Boyle, the unlikely star that had been surrounded by doubt. Susan performed the song, “I Dreamed a Dream,” from Les Misérables. By the end of her performance, the crowd and the judges were standing on their feet, cheering. Soon, the video from her audition began to circulate on social media. Susan Boyle, at age 48, had become a star.
Susan Boyle soon released her first album, “I Dreamed a Dream.” It set a first-week sales record. Since her time on Britain’s Got Talent, Susan Boyle has released 8 albums. She has performed all over the world, and the quiet, nervous lady who had never performed for a group larger than her small church was asked to perform for the Royal Family at Windsor Castle! A musical has even been written about her life, and she has released an Autobiography titled The Woman I Was Born To Be.
For 48 years, Susan Boyle kept herself from living her dream. Her fears and failures seemed too difficult to overcome. She almost allowed her doubts to keep her from that now-famous audition. Now, Susan is an example to the world that we should never give up on our dreams. Although we all have had setbacks and trials along the way, God continues to work in us and through us to encourage and strengthen us as we use our gifts to bless others. Fear and failure do not define our story. God is at work in our lives, making things new, writing and rewriting our story.
God has made each of us capable of wonderful things. God has given us gifts and passion. What dreams do you have? What gifts have you been given that you are keeping to yourself? You never know how your life will be blessed, or how you will bless the lives of others, if you are just willing to embrace your dreams and try new things.
-Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
