Watching a video clip on the Internet reminded me of a few things that I need to work on in my life and I’m wondering if maybe there are a few others who need this reminder, too.

“Britain’s Got Talent” is England’s version of “American Idol.” Simon Cowell, who found fame as the truth-telling but harsh-mouthed judge on “Idol,” is now doing his “thing” on “Britain’s Got Talent.” The video clip was of two contestants who came out to be surveyed by Cowell and company to see if they would make it into the next round of the talent show; you can watch it yourself at http://youtu.be/ZsNlcr4frs4

A svelte, long-haired brunette teenage girl came out, paired in a duet with a big, long-haired, Jimmy Hendrix-T-shirt-wearing teenage boy who found it difficult to talk, much less keep eye contact. By the world’s standards, she was beautiful and he was a misfit.

When they came onstage, Simon Cowell said to one of the judges sitting next to him, “Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse.” And as he interviewed them about who they were and why they thought they could sing, he could hardly keep from smirking at what he thought would be a total disaster. They said their music teacher said they would be good together, so they thought they would try out.

The music began, a slow ballad called “The Prayer” made popular by Celine Dion and they began to sing. It took a mere three measures before the audience began to react and Cowell looked at his fellow judges with a smile of disbelief – and from that point on, it was myriad emotions. Tears, disbelief, amazement, hunger for more and a sense of peace could all be seen on the faces as the camera panned the crowd, recording their reaction.

This overweight 17-year-old boy had the voice of a mature opera star. It was booming. It was expressive. It was perfect. And his beautiful sidekick was talented, but certainly overshadowed by her partner’s amazing talent. A standing ovation greeted them at the conclusion of their performance and generous and incredulous comments from the panel of judges ensued.

I cried as I listened. It moved me to think that at the beginning of this video I was thinking the same as everyone else: This young man will make a fool of himself. And yet, those of us who sat in judgment and made unwarranted assumptions were the fools.

How many times have I made this same mistake, over and again? How many times have I looked at someone, slapped on a label and moved on? How many times have I put people in a pigeonhole, thinking I knew exactly where they belonged in life?

God has gifted each one of us, uniquely. None of us were a mistake. There is not one of us who is a “waste of flesh.” God created us; therefore, we are loved, planned for, gifted and expected to live in a way that would show this.

Don’t bury your talent or save it for a rainy day. Use it, exploit it for God and above all, look to others as if they are God’s most precious workmanship … because they are.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication.