He opens a window

This was the closest I ever got to dancing.

The song, He Opens a Window, is from the musical, The Dreamer, and it's best understood when we know the context of the story. It serves as a commentary of sorts on  Joseph's life. You can read Genesis 37-47 for the full account. It's among my favorite Biblical narratives.

Joseph was his father's favorite. His brothers got jealous of him, so they sold him into slavery. He eventually worked for Potiphar, a high ranking officer in Egypt, and became a most trusted worker and companion. Because he was falsely accused by the Pharoah's wife, Joseph was thrown into prison.

God gave Joseph the ability to interpret dreams. One time the Pharoah dreamt of seven fat and seven gaunt cows; he couldn't make anything out of it. Nobody could, except Joseph.  So the Pharoah called Joseph out and asked for his advice. Joseph told him that the seven fat cows signified seven years of bounty, and the seven thin cows for seven years of famine. This led Egypt to prepare for the coming disaster. Joseph was at the helm of the preparations, having become the second most powerful man in the land.

While the rest of the world was suffering from hunger, Egypt was in bounty. Joseph's family left in Canaan wasn't spared from this calamity. They were so hungry, so his brothers went to Egypt to ask for food. Twenty-two years had passed, and Joseph finally saw his brothers again. Joseph didn't reveal his real identity to them; perhaps he was so changed even his brothers didn't recognize him.

To cut the story short, Joseph was able to bring his entire family in Egypt. And the story's conclusion is best explained by Genesis 50:20, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."

No matter how badly life treats us, God is sovereignly in control of our circumstances. When you read the Biblical account of Joseph's life, you can't help but notice the phrase, "The Lord was with Joseph." And He is the same God who is near us today.

That was the message we in Agape wanted to convey.

The lamps we installed were wonky at the beginning (hence, the lag at the start of the video), but praise be to God, everything went as planned. Except for Aeron Dela Cruz's accidental slip. The audience thought it was part of the dance. 

When doubt and disappointment
Hide the morning sun
When all my dreams have ended
All my songs are sung.
His spirit soars within me
Every doubt is gone
I see a new horizon
Then sing a brand new song.

For in His perfect timing
Up ahead the light is shining
And I know the dawn
Will be arriving very soon.

Chorus:
When God closes a door
He opens a window
He opens a window
So I can see
He’s working it out the very best for me
He opens a window just for me.

Here are photos from the backstage and previous practices. Many thanks to Alric Mondragon and Tin Ang for sharing.

Last rehearsal backstage.

During the dress rehearsal at MSU Second Floor.

4 U. When friends asked me how they'd spot me, I told them to look at the letter "U."

A hand-shaped, glowing lesion on Deana's head. She looks a lot like my cousin, Kring, who had convulsions because I kicked her off the slide.

Tin Ang, our choreographer. She was a joy to work with. We praise God for her patience and insights.  She has been an encouragement to all of us, having reminded us of the reason we did our number: to glorify God.

Here's Dr. Fides Castor (yehess, doktor na!), one of our seniors in Agape. She's encouraging us with God's Word here.

The cross. A reminder of God's love shown by Jesus' dying for our sins.