You know when I sit down or stand up.  – Psalm 139:2

For a ton of random reasons, I have gone to more concerts these past couple of months than probably at any other time in my life.  Some of the bands I really liked as a kid, and I knew that the guys in them were getting on up in years and it might be the last chance to get to see them.  Other bands are simply in their prime, and I’ve learned that prime doesn’t last long.  One band I saw was Megadeth.  I liked them back in the day and remember seeing them at Cowboy’s Night Life in Greenville.  In 2002, I read that the lead singer, Dave Mustaine, had become a born-again believer in the Lord.  I thought that was the coolest thing ever.  Many religious people obviously trashed the guy, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt.  I still give him the benefit of the doubt.  Growing relationships with Christ are all over the place, but they should trend towards holiness and being different from the world.

There was another band that I saw called Fit for a King.  They do claim to all be Christians.  I bring these two bands up because I had high expectations for them as far as being a light in the darkness and, at the very least, being different than everyone else. 

I don’t know about you, but when a person casually and frequently cusses, I discredit them as a follower of Jesus.  I’m not talking about slipping up, I’m talking about regular use when around a comfortable crowd.  I’m also not talking about newer converts . . . I remember how hard it was to get this under control.  I’m talking about someone who has claimed to follow the Lord for years.  

Now to Fit for a King’s credit, they never cussed.  There was a moment where I felt like they normally speak about the big deal that the Lord is in their lives.  The crowd, however, wanted nothing to do with it.  Several of the attendees yelled, “C’mon . . . keep the energy going.”  So, that is what they did.  I felt like they missed a huge opportunity to tell them about Jesus.  

To both bands’ discredit, it is what they allowed in the opening acts that was far worse.  There were very frequent uses of the f-bomb.  I kept thinking, “at the very least, I would not allow this.”  Please don’t get me wrong, I could not care less if a person cusses or not.  I don’t necessarily like to hear it, but as soon as you become a Christian, you go to war against what comes out of your mouth.  I distinctly remember saying a cuss word after being saved.  I heard in my spirit, “Adam, you don’t talk like that anymore.”  I know now that it says so straight up in the Bible (Colossians 3:8), but I didn’t know it back then.  In fact, there was one day that I had committed to no foul words.  When I got around my friends, it took about 5 minutes before they said, “What is wrong with you?”  I said something lame like, “I just think you aren’t very smart if you have to use that vocabulary.”  Being able to stand up for the Lord was a whole other issue I’d have to deal with later.  

Lastly, I don’t know the hearts of any of those band members.  I’m simply making an observation.  Strangely enough, I’m making the same observation that many religious folks make about me.  Judge not lest ye be judged, right?  But here is the thing . . . the Lord knows.  He knows their hearts.  He knows my heart.  And here is the best part, and the whole point I’m trying to make . . . He knows if I’m standing up for Him, or if I’m sitting idly by doing nothing. 

Honestly, He and I both know.

Lord, I want to stand up for You.  I want to be a light in the darkness.  I want to be holy.  I want to be different.  Will You empower me to be that light?  Let me be a contrast to the world.  May people ask why I do the things that I do the way that I do them.  May my answer always be the same, “I’m just trying to follow Jesus.”   Lord, please fill those Christians who have an incredible platform with Your Holy Spirit.  Give them boldness like never before to tell others about You.  I could totally see You start the third Great Awakening in the concert halls through people that religious spirited people can’t stand.  Lord, in whatever manner You choose to do it, please awaken Your people and send revival soon.  Amen.