Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will. – Romans 12:2

This past weekend, I went to Louisville Kentucky to attend a music festival.  There were so many bands there.  There were five stages and music just came at you rapid fire, back-to-back, and for hours on end.  My teenaged self would have been one happy camper.  My adult self wore out pretty quickly. 

There were just a handful of Christian bands mixed in with all the secular bands.  I was really looking forward to seeing Skillet, Fit for a King, P.O.D., and Red.  I was wondering how they would carry themselves in a crowd who were mostly there to see bands who were mostly anti-Christian.  Some in the crowd were vocalizing their displeasure that these Christian bands were even present at the festival.

I can’t even express the massive size of this crowd.  Friday was cancelled because of the rain and the promoters allowed the wristband for that day to be used at either of the last two days.  It was super packed, and it was super muddy. 

All the secular bands had super foul mouths.  It was mostly grown men trying to come off as the toughest sounding and posturing for who could act the “baddest.”  They all hit super hard with the music, so I could see why they had so many fans. 

The contrast in the language was very noticeable.  The majority of the secular bands called the crowds really foul names . . . to the crowd’s delight.  The Christian bands simply referred to the fans by the name of the festival.  They avoided using any and all foul words.  It was such a breath of fresh air when they came out and played their sets . . . at least to me it was. 

John Cooper from Skillet was by far the biggest contrast.  Even though he never shouted, “I’m not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ,” like he does at most of his shows, he did something I thought was pretty cool.  He brought everyone there together by simply saying that he was glad, and he loved living in a country where we are all free to believe what we want to believe.  He said that he loved being able to practice his faith and that he loved that music was what brought everyone with different beliefs together for the weekend.  He said all this in a way where there was no way anyone could disagree.  All of us were nodding our heads and clapping in agreement.  I felt like he did what he could in that environment to get people who are anti-Christian to at least say, “If that guy is a Christian, then maybe they aren’t all so bad.”

All of this got me to thinking that we as Christians are to live differently.  Even at our own jobs, we ought not talk as others talk.  We shouldn’t participate in nasty jokes, cussing, and behavior that we know dishonors the Lord.  If we do find ourselves participating, of course there is mercy, grace, and forgiveness.  But, if we find ourselves participating, we lose such an opportunity to show others that we are separate from the world and that we don’t conform to its pattern.  The bands made up of Christians were noticeably different than the ones who were not.

I wonder if I was the only one who noticed.

Lord, I thank You that You have people in places most Christians will not go to preach.  You truly are making every effort to reach all people.  Chance after chance you gave me before I made You Lord of my life.  Chance after chance I see You still giving this world to come to its senses and repent.  Thank You for constantly showing us light in the darkness.  Thank You for always drawing people to You by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Help all who read this today to live differently, to break the pattern of this world, and honor You with our lives.  There is no other name given among men by which we must be saved . . . the Name of Jesus.