by Joe Stowell

My summer had a lot of highlights, but near the top of the list is the YouTube video of Susan Boyle wowing the judges on a nationally-televised British talent show with her unlikely appearance as a singer.

Among a long menu of flashy artists, she appeared on the stage in a way less-than-fashionable get up, with way less-than-cool hair and with a lot more years than anything that stage had ever seen before. The audience and judges were understandably skeptical as they rolled their eyes with lots of “what’s-next-after-her” looks. Until, that is, she put the mike to her lips and began to sing. Wowing the crowd with the beauty of her talented voice, the scene changed dramatically as the crowd rose in thunderous cheers and as the judges were riveted with amazement written all over their faces.

I have to admit that I still don’t get tired of watching the video and more than once I’ve felt a little teary-eyed as I saw an unlikely person unlock the potential within to bless and benefit her world!

My experience with Susan Boyle has brought me once more to the realization that one of the really bad things about me—and maybe you—is my tendency to judge people by how cool they appear to be. You’d think I would have learned my lesson by now, but some things take awhile. Why is it hard for me to remember that I’ve met a lot of outwardly appealing people who when I get to know them really didn’t have much to offer from the inside. And that I have met a lot of Susan Boyle types who have surprised me with the power that emerges from within them when you get close.

Which brings me to a passion that I have for our CU community. The passion is that we will value each other regardless of appearance and believe that deep within all of us is lots of potential to benefit and bless our world—regardless of how we look on the outside. We are all different. Some of look really cool and others of us—most of us—are just average. There are even some of us who may even be a little like Susan Boyle; we look and feel like maybe we don’t quite measure up. But at CU, it’s OK, because we believe in each other and the potential that is waiting to emerge from all of our lives.

I like Jesus for a lot of reasons. But one thing that I find so compelling about him is that, to him, people matter. Regardless! No one escaped the embrace of his interest and love. From housewives to hookers, rich to poor, Jews and Samaritans, pharisees and scribes—to say nothing about sinners and tax collectors. He believed that within everyone there was great potential that He could unlock if they would simply believe and follow Him. Several really unlikely people did just that and our world has never been the same!

So let Jesus unlock your potential—rise up and follow him! And, while you’re at it, believe the same for that person on our campus who’s just a little different from you.