Susan Boyle

Dear Victorious,

I saw you blogged about Susan Boyle, the Scottish singer who is sweeping the Internet with her music. You seemed to fawn all over her yourself. It seemed quite uncharacteristic of you! So what is the down side to this Susan Boyle story? How could she screw this up?

Darlene - Cupertino, CA

Dear Darlene,

I suppose there are many ways Susan Boyle could screw up her "15 minutes of fame." In fact, we probably couldn't even count the ways. I saw in the media the other day that someone in America has offered her $1 million to star in a porn flick - and required that she lose her virginity on the screen in order to get the million bucks. If that isn't the most revolting revelation of American culture, I don't know what is!

So if I'm Susan Boyle, I could look at things like a million bucks guaranteed. Or I could hold out for the promise of something better. What could be better than money? Perhaps the opportunity to influence and bless the world for good. I'm reminded of Philippians 4:8, which admonishes us to focus on things that are "excellent and worthy of praise." It seems to me that Susan Boyle offers something in that category. Or she could offer something else.

How could Susan Boyle screw this up? By trading influence and impact for fame and cash. She could lay aside virtue and just grab all she can as quickly as she can. I'll buy her records if she is patient enough to produce them. But if, for example, she stars in a porn flick - even if it's to pay her bills - she will no longer represent or offer what is "excellent and worthy of praise." I don't pay for music offered by porn stars.

My prayer is that God will lead Susan's heart and that she will wait upon the Lord. He will do a great work in her if she will wait. Her alternative is to take matters into her own hands. Frankly, that's a sure guarantee to "screw things up!"