Yesterday Gina and I went to the Kentucky State Fair. That isn’t unusual, we have tried to make it an annual event every time we have lived in the Louisville area. We like looking at the farm animals, seeing the teens get excited about showing their prize cows and sheep and looking at the blue ribbon displays. I could spend hours just browsing the exhibit hall.
We chose to go yesterday so we could see one of the free concerts. I am not sure how it is free when we paid $8 a piece to get in and another $8 to park. But that is a different story. Yesterday the Kentucky Headhunters and Charlie Daniels were in concert. I know my Bullitt County Redneckness is showing through, but hey it’s what I like.
Charlie Daniels at the Kentucy State Fair
While there as part of the crowd of several thousand people, I noticed the concert goers were for the most part having a grand time. The cigarette smoke was flying, the beer was everywhere and sleeveless shirts must of been the official dress code of the day. People were dancing and singing and laughing. But in the midst of this God just overwhelmed me with the lostness of the people around us.
I wondered who was making an effort to reach these people? Tto tell them the redemtive story of Jesus and how their lives can be more than good music and good times?
I was impressed that Charlie Daniels had changed some to the lyrics of his songs, taking out cuss words and drug paraphernalia references. (A fact that seemed oblivious to most in the crowd who just sang the old lyrics). He also boldly claimed his love for Jesus and lead the crowd in singing “Amazing Grace”. But even in that I wondered about the effectiveness of an entertainer on stage singing about his love of God in a sea of mostly buzzed concert goers. Holding up their flaming lighters seemed the best they knew how to do to during this part of his set.
But who is building relationships with those in our communities who desperately need to hear the gospel? Who is willing to step outside the cloistered Christian community to build relationships with them?
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