In 2007 Paul Potts nervously walked on stage for his first audition for Britain’s Got Talent.
He was an overweight car phone salesman with a crumpled suit and, as he smiled awkwardly through disfigured teeth and announced he was there to sing opera, the murmur from the already doubting crowd grew and the eyebrows on the sceptical judging panel rose further.
What was to follow would lift the audience to their feet and bring many to tears in what one judge would define as a “spine-chilling” performance.
With prophetic undertones the same judge would announce, “What we have here is a case of a little lump of coal that’s going to turn into a diamond”.
Potts would go on to win the competition and launch an international career which would see him perform before millions of people, including a Royal Gala for the Queen, and hit the top of music charts across the globe.
It is a moving and inspirational moment to see the transformation of an entire audience as their initial perceptions are shattered by the reality of what lay beyond this external demeanour and appearance.
It is one, strangely enough, I was reminded of during the recent Palm Sunday readings.
I was struck by the final moment of Jesus’ death when the veil in the Sanctuary was ripped through.
It was a line I must have heard many times before but this time it resonated more deeply.
The Jewish faith at the time used the veil to separate the Holy of Holies – the earthly dwelling place of God’s presence – from the remainder of the temple, signifying man’s separation from God through sin.
Only the high priest could pass beyond the thick, 20m high veil once a year to atone for the sins of Israel.
The ripping of the veil is a powerful symbolism of the spiritual doors Jesus opened for us through his sacrifice.
By cleaning the slate of all of humanity’s sins – the “veils” that had separated us from God – Jesus became the gateway to intimacy with his Father.
It is why, I believe, rags to riches stories such as Paul Potts strike such a powerful public chord.
We love the story of the underdog – the person who defies the odds and is able to lift themselves above the expectations of others – because it triggers an awareness of the diamond – the presence of God – living within each of us.
We are able to witness the manifestation of something beautiful being released from an unexpected source and it awakens the divine hope within each of us.
We are reminded that beyond the veils of our own humanity – the residue of our trials, hurts and disappointments – something beautiful is waiting to burst forth.
I see the extreme reality of our veiled existences when I journey onto the streets of Perth and meet those who have become lost in the shadows of our society.
For many, the layers of coal have become so thick they are no longer aware of the diamond within and many come to identify them only by the facade they have erected.
These veils come in all shapes and sizes – violence, substance abuse, crime, intimidation, isolation, apathy, hopelessness, etc, and most are woven together by the pain and fear borne from life experience.
The purpose of each veil, whether subconscious or by design, is to create a protective layer to prevent further hurt, but sadly they serve only to separate themselves further from society, and even more tragically, from recognising God within themselves.
So often, however, I become one of the sceptical audience members who instantly make a judgement guided by only what I see in front of me.
My focus and expectations go no deeper than the appearance, behaviour and attitude presented before me and, sadly, I add yet another layer of coal on their diamond.
Unfortunately, this is an easy habit to fall into, whether on the street, at work, in our churches or even our homes, and we miss out on discovering the Paul Potts’ amongst us.
Fear, helplessness or a judgemental attitude can rob us of the opportunity to expose the buried treasure that is only an outstretched hand or kind word away.
Jesus made deliberate efforts to bring to the front stage people who were not considered worthy or important.
He put the spotlight on those who begged, had leprosy, were possessed or worked in prostitution, ripping through the veils of appearance, isolation, behaviour and immorality.
He did not see the singer – because he had already heard the beautiful song within.