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Tenacious Thee



Sometimes, somebody just sees something in you.

It's the Wild Card show on American Idol. Not something the producers do all that often. But, when you start with 36 contestants to begin with, I guess you need something to add some excitement while at the same time whittling down the list. All judges and all live. It was an exciting show.

Recognizing that the Top 12 needed more girls, the judges added two. [I think Lil Rounds is still the top gal, and she may go all the way to the top. But, I've said that before too early about folks. You can't feel really confident about your picks until after #4 has been selected.]

It came down to the last two guys--two guys I have enjoyed watching since the auditions, though they've received mixed reviews at times. Anoop Desai from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Matt Giraud from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Anoop's a bright college student with a flair for soulful performance. Matt's a dueling piano player whose got a lovely blues thing happen'. The judges announce the winners, and Matt goes through.

I'm happy; he did well. Feeling bad for Anoop, because he is somebody who has that surprising talent and did a lot to prove himself. The surprise of the night, however, was not only on him, but it was on me and probably most of America.

Anoop is in the new American Idol Top 13!!

Cool!

* * *

The judges used the word tenacity a lot tonight. Most of the Idol Wild Card contestants came out with a new passion, vibrance, energy and "fight" to them. And for Matt and Anoop, I think they received the encouragement they deserved because they put forth what was required to move forward--they showed that they have what it takes.

The Bible's got a word for tenacity--perseverance. A lot of folks stumble on that one. It's hard to spell, for one thing. I'm always wondering how many e's are in there. It's a long word; lots of syllables. It can be really hard to put into practice.
And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
--Romans 5: 2a-4

It's one of my favorite passages, but that doesn't mean I live it out as if it's a favorite. It's quite clear that the passage describes a progression. Rejoice in suffering. Woo! Yep, that's easy--NOT! But why suffering? Because suffering produces perseverance. And that's a good thing?!?

People often pose the question, "Why do bad things happen?" and its close cousin, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" This post will not debate what is 'bad' and what is 'good.' Why is there suffering? So we can know the opportunity to become strong in the purpose for which we live. Some people receive that opportunity but don't recognize it as such, deciding to languish in the suffering. Some folks will take that opportunity and rise to the occasion--not that you easily overcome suffering. You work through it purposefully. That's perseverance.

When you engage in the process of perseverance, you witness a change in your character, which produces within you a hope ("and hope does not disappoint," vs.5). There is a time for every purpose...and that includes perseverance.

For the Christian, the journey of perseverance is not one that need be taken alone. Even in our suffering, we have One who shares in our state. He knows what it means to persevere. He endured death on a cross--the emblem of suffering and shame--and lived to talk about it. Not that His character needed any refining, nor His hope any redefining, but He took the journey so that we might be blessed as we go about our days--with tenacity!

Because, sometimes, Somebody sees something in you....and something they want you to know in yourself.

Comments

Anonymous said…
poor Tatiana, but it was inevitable that she would be cut anyway; I just hope there aren't any more "wildcards"
Kelly said…
I actually watched the whole show for the first time with this episode. It was so great - Anoop was crying at the end - tears of joy no doubt.

I'm glad God sees something in me worth keeping. It must be the reflection of him. :-)
My ADHD Me said…
The first part of this post reminded me of the LOST posts i occassionally read. As with LOST, when it comes to American Idol, I am out of the loop.

I enjoyed the last part. I love that verse and have it written as a reminder on an index card.

I surely see something in you...and it is very good!
Edie said…
I read this the other day and I thought I left a comment but it's not here. Ooops!

I don't watch Americal Idol. It seems there's an awful lot amount of *beating up* on people in these shows that should be meant to encourage. I think they send a terrible message to about how to treat people.

I love your analogy on perseverence though. Perseverence definetly produces character. There is such a fast paced, *gimme now* mentality these days that perseverence is falling by the wayside, and character is not as common as it once was.

But you my friend are a woman of character. Have a great day!!
KelliGirl said…
Sue J,
First...I still haven't watched Idol yet this season, so I'm a bit out of the loop.

I love what you wrote about perseverance. (Did I spell that right?) I think suffering is the toughest concept for us to wrestle with. Why? And why if God is loving? Are all the bad things part of God's plan? What about child abuse and cancer and murder.

I hear these types of questions a lot. And it's verses like the one you quoted in Romans that give me hope that even though I don't understand why, God is still good. I believe a lot of our suffering is the result of evil and living outside of Eden, and that lots of this isn't God's plan at all. But, God can use ALL things to the good of those who love Him. All things.

Hugs, my friend,
Kelli
Kelly said…
Hey - my picture is up over here! What?? You are something else. Thanks for making it a great day!
Bonita said…
I'm surprised by how many lessons God teaches me through American Idol and apparently he's teaching you a lot too. I just might make tenacity my word of the week.

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