Enthusiastic, Contagious Faith

Last week I began to fear that it had been too long since I did something really extravagant and maybe even "over the top " for my wife's birthday, and I became very ashamed of my failures as a husband.  So, I sought retribution for my shortcomings through an evening of elegance and CCM (Christian Contemporary Music, for those of you unfamiliar with the term).  This year, for her birthday, my wife received a pair of DOVE Award tickets from me.  Yes, yes, I know, that's a little against my grain, given the root of this event and the obvious presence of Southern Gospel performers.  (Technology has dealt us some very effective ear plugs in recent years, though.)

Browsing through the list of nominees for awards at the 40th Annual DOVE Awards this month, one thought kept pounding on my head.

"Do I promote Christ in the most enthusiastic, declarative, and (most of all) contagious way that I can, given the skills God gave me?"

I know there are a lot of negative opinions about CCM artists, and there's just as much slanderous banter about the music they write, perform and produce.  However, the cold, harsh reality for me is simple: the men and women (regardless of age, music style, or appearance), who put the message of Christ in the CD case or on the stage year in and year out are doing exactly what Paul was talking about in Colossians, when he said,

"Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically,
as something done for the Lord and not for men."
(Col. 3:23 Holman CSB)

Those words hit me right between the eyes.  Who am I to even attempt petty judgment on someone who's doing such a significant portion of the work in promoting Christ?  What does that say about me as an evangelist and keeper of the Great Commission?  What about you?  Are you a vocal, demonstrative and forthright proclaimer of your faith?  Or do you like to think of yourself a "silent ambassador ?"  Or maybe that's just a petty excuse for us lazy American Christians who can't begin to fathom how difficult it really could be to live as a follower of Christ...  Well?