The guy outside is strumming away on his guitar and dancing around like I’ve seen only few men do. I can’t help but wonder why he does it. Does he really make that much money in the popcorn bucket that sits at his feet that it keeps him coming back day after day to put on a show? As long as I’ve been sitting here watching his performance through a window that overlooks his domain I haven’t seen a single passerby stop to appreciate the talent. So it can’t be the money, can it?
He wears a black t-shirt and black jeans with a silver studded black belt and red white and blue suspenders. Big shaded sunglasses disguise his face. A silver flat cap covers his shoulder length jet-black hair and he has a bro-stache that some guys I know would see as something to brag about. In between performances he takes off his hat and begins a compulsive motion to slick back his hair even more. Why does he do this? His hair is clearly not in his face.
Back to my initial question, why does he do this? Why does he play with so much spirit for what seems like no reward? Maybe he’s waiting to be discovered for his marvelous talent and make his big break. Or maybe he does it out of passion for music. Maybe there’s a song in his heart that he just has to play in order to get any sleep at night. Then I realize maybe my fascination with this sidewalk rock star has a little something to do with what we might have in common.
There are times I feel like I’m standing there in the middle of a big crowd playing my heart song at the top of my lungs and no one seems to hear me (especially here in Malaysia). Their ears are deaf to the very thing that causes me to get up every morning and resume singing my song. This guy has inspired me in such a strange way. He doesn’t seem to care how crazy he looks or who’s listening, he just plays the song he’s been given. He doesn’t seem to give up either.
That’s how I feel, I feel like living my life fearless, subject to the goodness of God and telling others about it even when it seems like no one is listening. I won’t quit.
There’s something inside all of us tugging at us to sing our song. Some of us have become numb to the tugging or maybe even the song. If that’s you wake up and hear the music! You were given your very own melody that you need to share. So share it! Think of it as your God-given duty.
I pray that you have the drive and passion to wake up day after day and continue to play your song, no matter how crazy you look and whether or not anyone is listening.
