Judging the book again...

Had an amazing night last night. I had the opportunity to work security at a concert here in Orangeburg...MegaRally 09. It featured 2 local Christian bands, Cathedrals Of The Soul and True Vine. There was also a group, OneEighty that was great...in fact ALL of the groups were fantastic. However, it was the featured band, BarlowGirl, that was really standout. And of course God had to give me yet another lesson in humility.
You see, prior to the concert beginning I was talking to some other men there and I made the comment that I didn't particularly care for BarlowGirl. "Don't really like "chick" bands." I said over and over again. Yeah, ok...but when they did a Q&A with just about all of the rather sparse audience, (yeah, once again Orangeburg underachieves in the 'come out and see, come out and support' category...not too many people in the stands...sigh...) I began to see them in a far different light. I mean, these girls, well young women, were well spoken, grounded and had an obvious love for Christ. They answered every question with enthusiasm and honesty. And even though they were not scheduled to do so until after their set, they signed autographs and took pictures right then and there too. So, before ever hearing them perform live I stood convicted by the Holy Spirit of having a judgemental mindset. Then they took the stage...and God completed His lesson that He had for me...
I don't know what I was expecting really. I have heard many BarlowGirl songs on the radio...high pitched, kinda mellow but....THESE GIRLS ROCK! I mean, they were jamming! Their voices were great too! But the most amazing thing of all is that not only did they perform to their utmost...they worshipped with and PREACHED, I said it, PREACHED to the smattering of people; mostly pre-teens, that were front stage. At one point the drummer even broke out a bible and read a verse of scripture! How many times have I seen that at any concert? NEVER! They prayed for the audience, ministered to the audience, and allowed God to work through them for the audience. The only downside was that there were not more in attendance to experience this. But, those that God wanted there, that needed to be there...were there...and were blessed by God to be sure.
After the concert, BarlowGirl sat down and signed autographs and took photos again...to the point of possibly missing their flight. Never have I seen entertainers interact with the crowd with such humility and openness. They were willing to be a little transparent and were absolutely not the prima donnas that I had expected.
So, here I sit at my computer, humbled, convicted and preparing to send some correspondence to the Barlow Girls....asking them to forgive a security guy that I am sure they didn't even take note of...forgive me for being closed minded and judgemental...then I will bend a knee and ask my Father to do the same.
I don't like girl bands....yeah, whatever....

Lesson learned...

Been in a self pity mode for a little while now. I don't know exactly when I moved into it...it was gradual. One minute I was basking in God's love and the next I whining worse than a baby that wants the last piece of candy. It seems that I felt (catch the use of the past tense) that I was unappreciated and unloved...nobody cared what I was doing or that I was doing anything at all. Boo-hoo....wahhh! I think that we all get there from time to time...wanting to be recognized for our hard work...wanting that pat on the back...funny how God can use those times as teaching tools for our souls.
It just so happened that as I wallowed in my "woe is me" place that we at our church prepared for baptism...our pastor, my mentor and a man I consider a friend, brought the message and it was intended to be for those that where not saved...for those that were pretending to be Christ followers. It was not a message for me...or was it? I mean, I have been a Christ follower for many moons now...certainly not a babe in Christ...but, as our pastor spoke God began to pluck at my heart strings...it wasn't until later in the service, as baptisms were taking place that God revealed to me a lesson in which I hope not to ever forget...I watched people going under the water and coming back up rejoicing in the life transforming profession that they had just made and God asked me three questions that were as clear to my heart as if He were standing directly in front of me..."Are you merely pretending to love Me?" "Are you really full of Me or are you empty of Me and full of self?" Finally God asked, "I have allowed you to be a part of this persons moment with me...is that not payment enough?" I will tell you that I was cut to the bone. Suddenly I could do nothing but smile...suddenly all of the self pity I was feeling was replaced by the love of God. I saw so clearly what it was that had alluded me before. Pretenders desire to be paid in ways that man sees. Fakers are full of their own wants and cry when they can not have their wants fulfilled. Payment comes in many forms...appreciation is shown in a myriad of ways. My God loves me so much that He allowed me to share a moment between Him and other people that I don't even know! There is no pat on the back that can ever equal that...ever.
So, while I am not sure what God has in store for me I am sure of this...rather than look for the appreciation of man, rather than long for a pat on the back from man...I only desire to one day hear my Lord and Saviour say, "Well done, good and faithful servant...well done". For me, that is more than enough...