Judging or
Judged?
A BBQ Judge’s Perspective
The reason I am sharing this message is to encourage you to accept Jesus and His gift of salvation as my family and I have done, so you too can go to Heaven.
Judged?Judged?A BBQ Judge’s Perspective
The reason I am sharing this message is to encourage you to accept Jesus and His gift of salvation as my family and I have done, so you too can go to Heaven.
To drive up to a BBQ contest and get out of the vehicle to the smell of smoke and BBQ that has been cooked all night is an incredible experience. After 10 years of judging and competitive cooking I could share many stories but here are the thoughts that I would most like to share with you.
Cook-offs have multiple teams competing, and some of these events may attract as many as or more than 100 teams. These cook teams want to know that the judges, who will be evaluating their efforts on this particular day, are experienced and able to judge their efforts fairly with no bias. On the other hand, the judges want to enjoy great barbecue while being respectful of the cooking teams and applying their best abilities in this role.
The serious part of this process begins once the judges have entered the official judging area. At that time, the judges have the important task of determining who among the cook teams have performed well enough to win the competition.
Pulled pork, brisket, chicken, ribs, and sometimes even steak are some of the items the judges have to sample. The judges will apply multiple techniques and rely on their experience to help determine which teams performed their best in the contest.
Normally, awards are given for first through third places, but some larger contests may offer prizes for as many as ten places. Additionally, some contests will have a Grand Champion and a Reserve Grand Champion as well.
To place is also known as getting a call or being called. Everyone enjoys watching the reactions of teams that are called for an award, but on the other hand, the disappointment is always clearly seen on the faces of the other teams who worked so hard, yet fell short of receiving a call.
I have had the privilege of judging and cooking in contests, so I’m familiar with the excitement of winning and the disappointment of losing. I speak from years of experience when I say “only one can win,” and no matter how hard everyone works, only one team will take home the first-place trophy.
Similarities can be found between a barbecue contest and our lives. Each of us is like a contestant who will or will not receive a call. One day when we die, only God – our holy Judge – will know if we have followed His “recipe” for salvation, according to the Bible:
Romans 2:16 – “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.”
Those who have followed His instructions will be admitted to Heaven, but those who have not, will not enter in. The teaching of the Gospel is simple:
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Some people believe they can work very hard, do their best, and hope that someday they will win the ultimate “prize” of making it into Heaven. Even though we may have been a moral person and performed good deeds, we will be just like the cook teams that fell short of getting a call. According to the Bible, hard work and all our best efforts are not enough to earn our entrance into Heaven:
Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
Because of our sins, we cannot enter into a holy Heaven with a holy God, but the Bible tells us that there is a way – and only one way – that our sins can be forgiven:
John 14:6 – “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 5:8 – “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
If you are not sure that you are ready to meet God, the Bible teaches us how we can be saved and know that we will have a home in Heaven.
Ephesians 2:8 – “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
Romans 10:9-10 – “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Romans 10:13 – “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Please let me encourage you to take the time to fully examine yourself to decide if you are – beyond a shadow of a doubt – headed to Heaven. If you have not, and you accept this free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, you are a “winner” with God.
2 Corinthians 6:2b – “…behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
You see, one day I received a call, as it were, from GOD, when I accepted His gift – and that’s the greatest victory I’ve ever won or could ever hope to win! Maybe today is your day to pray and ask God to forgive you and accept His gift of salvation through Jesus Christ and allow Him to redirect your life.
2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.”
I hope you accept this CALL!
I encourage you to examine yourself to see if you need to accept Jesus as your personal Savior. If so, please take the time to pray and ask God to forgive you of your sin, accept Jesus as your Savior, and ask God to change your life while bringing you into a close walk with Him. Then, you should find a good Bible-believing/preaching church, join, and begin serving God.
I’m Mark Busbee, a master barbecue judge, pit master, and one of the owners of Smokin’ Coals Sauces and Dry Rubs. I have judged and cooked competitively for more than 10 years. As you could imagine, barbecue has been a big part of my life during this time. However, many things are more important to me than barbecue these days, such as walking with God and placing my family first.
I did not become a Christian until age 36, but I often wish I had made this commitment much earlier in life. Before I became a barbecue “expert,” I was a Homebuilder in the construction field, and I was very concerned that some would treat me differently if I were a Christian. However, after committing my life to Christ, I discovered that life was different – it was even better. I found myself having more fun and enjoying life in a much more meaningful way as I developed close relationships with new Christian friends. God changes lives, and this change has been worthwhile in my life. The greatest “award” I have ever won is knowing that one day I will be in Heaven along with my family.
The reason I am sharing this message is to encourage you to accept Jesus and His gift of salvation as my family and I have done, so you too can go to Heaven.
Please feel free to contact us if you would like to share how this tract has spoken to you or if you have questions about salvation.