Under Pressure

I visited The Seagull Theatre yesterday. It’s the final preparations for their production of ‘We Will Rock You’ – that contains well-known Queen songs – including ‘Under Pressure’

‘Pressure pushing down on me, pressing down on you, no man ask for…’

It’s the dress rehearsal tonight; the first public performance is Thursday. Over two thousand tickets are sold. Actors, musicians, all involved are under pressure.

Earlier at our Men’s Shed we’d talked about family pressures… Dave’s been to hospital for scans and tests. They’re still not sure what the problem is. Uncertainty is putting him and his wife under pressure.

Under pressure – that burns a building down, splits a family in two, puts people on streets

We watched the football at Norwich on Saturday – the final friendly; the season starts this Saturday. Manager and players are under pressure.

I read of Andre Agassi’s autobiography… describing playing under pressure: ‘A win doesn’t feel as good as a loss feels bad, and the good feeling doesn’t last as long as the bad.’

On the news… Farmers under pressure: the drought’s yielding poor harvests… livestock eating winter feed… Andy Burnham’s under pressure: boats are still crossing the Channel with illegal immigrants… Ariana Grande’ under pressure from ‘endless, ongoing public scrutiny’: she’s taking a ‘much-deserved break’ from public appearances.

It’s the terror of knowing what this world is about, watching some good friends screaming, ‘let me out’

On Sunday minister-Lou talked about Jesus sharing his ‘Last Supper’ with his disciples. They’re all under pressure. His disciples respond badly with betrayal, desertion, denial. Jesus washes their feet, includes all in the meal, responds to pressure with love.

In my imagination, I join them, bringing my failures, mess-ups and pressures. I’m welcomed, loved, included…

‘Under Pressure’ concludes:

Why can’t we give love that one more chance… And love dares you to care for the people on the edge of the light. And love dares you to change our way of caring about ourselves. This is our last dance. This is ourselves. Under pressure.