I’m back from Vegas. I was there to revel in the hoopla surrounding the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR), which runs for 10 days every December. I have many observations to share (of course), so stay tuned over the next few days, particularly if you’re a rodeo fan or horse person.
Vegas had all its usual “character” that may strike visitors like me as odd or dark — pornography and strip clubs promoted to pedestrians on the sidewalk through business-card-sized flyers and free publications on the corners; public consumption of alcohol and many publicly intoxicated people; and of course, gambling everywhere.
Fashion is a big deal in Vegas and with rodeo fans. Three separate convention centers/exhibit halls were filled with vendors hawking the latest western fashions for people, horses and homes. Much of western fashion today is adorned with bling – shiny glitter or sequins or conchos to embellish clothing, tack and even furniture. Often the bling takes the shape of a cross. I find it troubling that mainstream culture has taken a symbol of faith and made it a fashion statement. Many of the people adorned in cross-emblazoned clothing or jewelry likely aren’t Christ followers and if they do consider themselves Christians, they don’t generally live any differently than the secular world. The fashion has diluted the meaning of the cross at best, and at worst, further destroys the witness of credible Christians.
Several rodeo cowboys competing for world titles also have crosses on their hats, vests, saddles, etc. — some as a sign of faith, others likely do it more as an indirect prayer for protection. A few roughstock contestants gesture a prayer after their rides. Again, one wonders if their faith is sincere or is “simply along for the ride.”
There were several points of light though. “Cowboy Butch” may have been selling magnetic water and other natural remedies for what ails many but his real sales pitch was for his ministry, Cowboy Crusade, and his weekly Internet radio program through blogspotradio. At a post-performance live talk show, Cory Wall, the 2009 PRCA Bullfighter of the Year, talked about the honor he received and how he was just living out God’s plan for his life. I was also introduced to Rodeo News magazine for the first time. This mainstream rodeo publication devotes several columns a month to Christian ministries. I reconnected with the Fellowship of Christian Cowboys, which hosted church services while in Vegas.
Vegas, and the world we live in, can be dark. Even among the darkness though we can find God’s light drawing people to him. I was encouraged by the light and boldness displayed by many in the rodeo world. They are an example to all of us.
Luke 11:33-36 (NLT): “No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house.
“Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is bad, your body is filled with darkness. Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.”
Hey, I totally agree with you about how many christians witness, but don’t seem to be living the life (hopefully those of us who have noticed aren’t gossiping, sleeping with someone we are not married to, criticizing other people, drinking, swearing, etc.etc….); it is so hard to know oneself – how can we know someone else?
Linda, thanks for your comments. You’re right, we can’t know what someone else feels in their hearts – their faith may be genuine. Only God knows our hearts and whether our intentions to live according to his truth are sincere. Only he knows for certain who wears the cross on their clothing or purse out of faith or in pursuit of fashion. One thing I know for sure is that we are all sinners and wholly dependent on Jesus for redemption.