I did not watch the superbowl. I did not watch a halftime show. Not out of defiance. Not out of protest. Not because of rebellion to an ideology. Not to stick it to the man. Not to brag about being noble or holier than thou.
I just did not watch. And you might be thinking, “wow, good for you, who cares, why are you telling anybody this?” I do not have a great answer…but let me try.
Most of my life I have loved sports. Music, concerts, entertainment of all sorts…nothing was better. I went to many concerts. I went to many, many football and baseball games. I couldn’t get enough. I bought sports jerseys. I wore concert shirts of my favorite bands.
And I am not going to be that “get off my lawn” and “things were better back in my day” guy. Because I have asked myself if I have simply reached a point in life where I am idolizing or romanticizing the past. (90’s were the best…obviously…so go play in your lawn)
Let me say this. I remember watching Saved by the Bell as a kid. Zack and Kelly had a high school romance. Simple, fun, and relatable. And occasionally, a kiss on the cheek or holding of hands was met with an audience “oooooohh.” I saw that as a kid and would think, “wow, they like and care for one another.” I really did think that.
Turn to today. “Entertainment” is lawlessness. There is nothing wholesome about what is shown on television (Except for re-runs of Bob Ross). Sports promote gambling, drinking, and lust. Music emanates lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
Musical lyrics are vulgar and the dancing is vile.
Social media promotes and platforms a morally bankrupt culture.
I am not going to lecture…we see or hear about this filth daily.
I saw a short clip of the superbowl halftime show…I closed it within seconds. The headline was “the pride of latino culture.” What? The dancing was crude and vulgar. Is that where “culture” is? What has happened?
And somehow the script was written that this display… this blatant disrespect of a culture through the vile promotion of lust…is art, pride, and honor. Oh, and if you disagree…your racist. What has happened?
NFL “stands” for justice and integrity while promoting sins of the flesh in all its “glory.” What has happened?
I did not watch TPUSA halftime live. I went back and listened to “Kid Rock.” Not his music…but his words. Words of Hope and Faith in Jesus. Words that he says, “changed his life.” Oh, and this was evil and racist from what I heard and read…What has happened?
Look, I don’t know Kid Rock. I don’t know the bunny man. But I do know what Jesus tells us in His Holy Word.
I do not know where Kid Rock is in his walk with Christ. But I do know that Jesus can change the hearts of anyone who seeks after Him.
We all have a past. We all have a time in our lives without Jesus. Scripture is filled with flawed people. But never to flawed for the mighty hand of Jesus to lift out of the darkness.
John Newton wrote “Amazing Grace.” Believers and unbelievers alike love this incredible song. Newton was a slave trader. Jesus transformed his heart. He had a powerful ministry. Would he today?
And when we stop letting flawed people display the powerful, awesome work of Jesus transforming lives…the evil one of this world can chip away at the very moral fibers God gave each and every one of us. We are all created in the Image of God.
God displays His mighty power through flawed, imperfect people. We all are. God loves working through His creation. God uses imperfect people to deliver a perfect message.
It is not the perfection of our lives; it is the direction of our lives. The direction of where we came from and where we are going.
I was lost for decades in the pride of life, the lust of the flesh, the worldly circus of entertainment. I was completely lost in this worldly life.
But God said, “I have plans for you.” God is that powerful, mighty…and loving.
We need that message on display for the world to see. Jesus loves us and wants to indwell our hearts and transform our lives. Die to that old self…and live in the new.
So, I did not watch this year. The reason. Jesus is enough. I do not see Jesus in much of what is “cultural.” But I do know that sometimes, God gives others a platform to share their transformation story and point others to His Word that changes lives.
God’s Word changed my lost, broken, dark life…Jesus lit up my life.
Yes, we enjoy and live life. But let me say this; it has really helped me. Ask yourself, If Jesus came back right now, what would He say to the show I am watching, music I am listening to, or entertainment I seek after? Is what I am doing helping my walk with Jesus?
Let us pray for God’s message of transformation to reach the broken and lost. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Without Jesus in our hearts…we are all lost. Only in Jesus are we found.
Praise be to God! Thank you, Jesus!
Blessings,
Pastor Jason Pauley
