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....