American Idol

I'm probably guilty of several things, but one thing most definately is watching to much TV. My wife and I love to sit down, after Dreyson goes to sleep of course, and watch a good movie. We also, like most avid TV viewers have our favorite shows. Some of our favorites include "Everybody Loves Raymond," "King Of Queens," "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air," and "Friends." Probably our favorite ever, though, is American Idol. We get so excited when each new season is about to begin and disappointed when it's over. We talk about each week's show like we are the judges (If you're laughing about that it's because you do it too and you know it). At all times we know who is staying and who is going, or so we think. We have our favorites on each season and the ones, well, we'll just say aren't. We love American Idol!

Well, I think we'll be watching this season through a little different lense than seasons past. My wife and I both auditioned this past week for American Idol, season 9. Let me just add this note...I did not want to audition. I went to support my wife and she talked me into it at the last minute, but nevertheless, I did it. I can write you this post because neither of us made it past the first of many rounds. It was an experience, however.

We sat out all night in line 2 different times to be a part of this show. We saw some "interesting" people and met some friends that were crazy enough to wait all night as well. All in all it was a pretty good experience. Exhausting, and one that we would never do again, but it was fun.

The best part of this whole experience took place the first morning we were in line. It was about 4 am (yes, I said am) and we had already been in line for about an hour. There were already thousands of people in line. People started getting brave and singing aloud in line for people to hear. We heard some great voices. The bravest, however, came from a group of people behind us. They were far enough away that we couldn't make out any faces, and at first, couldn't even tell what they were singing. There were a couple guys playing guitars and several people singing with them. Steph and I kept listening carefully to hear what they were singing when, finally, we made out the song. It was "Mighty To Save." We saw hands raised and heard voices singing, so loud, praises to our King. The group began to get a little bigger and louder as time went on. Probably around 20 or 30 people made up this group of worshippers, American Idol hopefuls, and no doubt followers of Jesus. They worshiped for at least an hour as they sang song after song. What a beautiful sound so early in the morning amidst so many people trying to "make it" and get rich and famous. No question that morning, while most of America was sleeping, that Jesus was made just that much more famous.

This whole experince challenged me and reminded me of Romans 1:16 which says, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." I wish I knew the people who were worshipping that morning so I could shake their hands, thank them, and tell them, "I'm not ashamed of the gospel either." I suspect one day when we all join in one song I will have that opportunity.

To One End