Setting Free the Lonely in Families

"I'm one of the 6.5 billion people cheering for you... thank you for not giving up," commented my former student Patrizia in one of her Facebook posts.

The attached image showed a pretty woman with an expression of either awe or disgust.

Intrigued, I clicked the arrow on the image and in streamed the Youtube video of Sung-Bong Choi auditioning for the reality show "Korea's Got Talent".

The pretty woman was apparently one of the show's judges--- amazed at what she was hearing from Sung-Bong.

The 22-year old answered the judges' questions almost stoically, his eyes almost always glued on empty space or the floor. But what he said stung both the judges and the audience.

"I just want to be normal," he said, and disclosed his un-normal life: Abandoned at the orphanage at age three. A runaway at age five because he could not stand people abusing him. A street kid since then, selling gums and energy drinks; at night making the stairs or public toilets his home.

The judges and the audience as you realize by now were either sniffling or already in tears.

But there was more. He did a jaw-dropping performance, just like an opera singer.

Yes, there may have been some missed notes. His face wasn't expressive enough. He felt awkward gesturing.

But how could the judges or the audience ask for more if their hearts were about to burst?

"I would have taken master (music) class if I had the chance," he said, "but I just practiced."
He heard someone singing one day at a night club. "He sang so sincerely," he added; and so started his journey to his dream. As he practiced singing, he started dreaming of "a normal life".

Sung-Bong is probably in for the shock of his life. And I believe his road will fork as Korean Idol gives him the opportunity to improve his singing and his life.

"I just want to hug him," said one of the judges.

"I just want him to be happy from now on," said another, hinting at wanting to help him fulfill his dream.

Remember Joseph, the son of Jacob who was sold by his brothers to slavery, then imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit?

He waited 13 years for the promise to be fulfilled. He saved his own people and the world from hunger when by God's design, he became governor of Egypt.

Sung-bong spent 17 years just waiting for this breakthrough, the chance to be normal. He had been toiling as a manual laborer, working hard to also finish his high school education.

"Enough is enough," God is probably saying to Sung-Bong or anyone who's waited patiently for freedom of whatever kind.

"My purpose will prevail. I will turn your mourning into dancing, your sorrow into joy."

God promised (Psalm 68:6) to set the lonely in families free and lead to joyful singing those who have been prisoners.

Hope indeed springs eternal!