From the buzz I’m seeing on Facebook and other social media sites, it seems that the All-American Halftime Show that Turning Point USA put on was effective. And I, for one, am happy, since it seems like the NFL is becoming less interested in representing people like me, so I hope Turning Point can continue to build off this.

But beyond just the entertainment value was something personal to me, and that was the transformation of Kid Rock.

I was a huge fan of Kid Rock my freshman year of high school. From a young adolescence in the thrusts of puberty, his foul-mouthed, hard-hitting style of rock and roll spoke directly to the rush of testosterone suddenly flooding my body. That wasn’t, of course, without great risk for a teenage boy.

Not only did his album include derogatory lyrics, but the album title alone of his first major release “Devil Without a Cause” provided enough caution for any Christian parents. And just to add an extra level of flair, as soon as you opened the case, the CD itself displayed a giant middle finger (in case you didn’t get the message). Needless to say, my fanaticism for Kid Rock was kept on the downlow to prevent a hard lecture and potential butt whippin’ from my mom.

Fast forward almost 30 years (hard to believe it was that long ago), and seeing him play the title track to that album “Bawitdaba” made me wince a bit at first. And for a moment, I really thought that he and the team at Turning Point really missed the mark.

Then, he did something that surprised me.

After a string instrument interlude, he was reintroduced, not as Kid Rock, but by his real name, Robert Ritchie. He stripped away his old attire to something much more humble, and instead of singing about “the midnight glances at the topless dancers,” he gave a much more uplifting message. And it was during that song, where he took a moment to proclaim the gospel.

The more I think about this, I believe the song selections (and even the choice to lip sync the first song, given some of the lip-syncing controversies that float around with live performances) were intentional. And in a strange way, they were touching, for it reflected some of the transformation that I’ve seen in my life. Now, I was nowhere near the level that Kid Rock experienced, from his walkout at Woodstock 99 in a pimp’s coat to his hard partying and dating of some of the most beautiful women a man can get his hands on. But if I were in his position, would I be willing to resist some of those same temptations? Truth be told, I probably would’ve found myself indulging in some of the same excesses.

Yet, with his reintroduction as Robert Ritchie and his proclamation of the gospel, it was as if he was making a statement. “Here I am Lord, born again and ready to serve.” After all, new names have often been given by God and Jesus. Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel, Saul to Paul, Simon to Peter, and on and on.

Now that Robert has proclaimed the truth, will he completely shed his previous lifestyle and stay on the narrow road? I certainly hope so, and will pray that he does, for I believe his story going from the “devil without a cause” to unapologetically preaching the name of Jesus in front of 22 million plus people (I believe that was the final estimated number, and a conservative one at that) is a powerful one. It is a difficult road, however, and many in his space have stumbled (think Kanye), so I encourage others to pray for him as well (for he’ll certainly need all the help he can get).

But this now leaves a challenge to us believers. There are many Kid Rocks among us. Those who have indulged in sinful lifestyles, whether it be promiscuity, drunkenness, drug use, or been stuck in idolatrous behavior. There are probably many of those who are holding onto sin deep in their heart that is keeping them from accepting salvation. How will we minister to those? They may be foul-mouthed partiers, but they also, like Kid Rock, understand that there is a deeper truth. That they’re longing for change… that they’re longing for Christ.

Because though we may have cringed listening to his first song, that’s ok, because we weren’t his target audience. They were.

Transformation doesn’t come easy, and it often doesn’t happen overnight. And for those of us who grew up in a church culture who shunned this type of behavior, it will be quite uncomfortable (which is probably the point). But just like how Jesus met the lepers, tax collectors, prostitutes, and the most broken and misfit in society, we can step out of our comfort zones to welcome them into discipleship. There is a hunger amongst many of us sheep that have strayed from the flock, and if we allow it, the Holy Spirit will work through all of us to transform lives.

So let’s welcome in the Kid Rocks among us, and through the power of Christ, let’s turn them into Robert Ritchies.

If you enjoyed this blog, please consider supporting some of my other work. Waiting on Heaven’s Doorstep takes the same message of a broken young man and rebuilding him anew, and The Significance of a Birthday is a great birthday message (and gift) for all ages, emphasizing the miracle of life and how much you changed the world the day you entered it.

Thank you, and God bless.