Long Talk….

Anyone that knows me, knows that I am the biggest Dolly Parton fan ever!!!!  Her music, her style, and the way she continues to give generously to make the world a better place are just a few reasons that I’m a Dolly fan.  One of my all-time favorite sermon series I preached was, “The Gospel According to Dolly Parton.”  This series was centered around 4 iconic Dolly songs.  This series was filled with lyrics from her songs, dolly-isms, and yes, scripture.  One of the foundations of Dolly’s life is her faith in God.  

“It’s been a long dark night

And I’ve been a waitin’ for the morning

It’s been a long hard fight

But I see a brand-new day a dawning

I’ve been looking for the sunshine

You know I ain’t seen it in so long

But everything’s gonna work out just fine

And everything’s gonna be all right

It’s gonna be okay.

I can see the light of a clear blue morning

I can see the light of a brand-new day

I can see the light of a clear blue morning

Oh, and everything’s 

gonna be all right, it’s gonna be okay!!

“Light of a Clear Blue Morning” has been described by Dolly as her song of deliverance.  She recalls driving into her driveway, it was raining, and then suddenly, she saw the shining through the rain clouds.  At that moment, Dolly embraced that God had called her to something bigger than she could ever imagine.  

As I sit under a gazebo covered with grapevines woven around the sides and top, I’m listening to Dolly’s song, Jesus, and Gravity.  I am in my happy place.  “I’ve got Jesus, I’ve got Jesus, that’s all I need.”  Perhaps, these lyrics are my song of deliverance for this day?  

Psalm 32: 7-9 has been part of my devotional reading for today.  The psalmist writes, “For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble.  You surround me with songs of victory.  The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.  I will advise you and watch over you.  Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”  

As I sit, pray, ponder, and write, what is God trying to deliver me from? For me, it’s allowing the unknown, criticism (warranted or not), or even my feelings.   In my listening to podcasts this week, I am realizing that as a minister, we make ourselves vulnerable to others.  Through our vulnerability, we are wounded.  Barbara Brown Taylor writes, “After years of being taught that the way to deal with painful emotions is to get rid of them, it can take a lot of re-schooling to learn to sit with them instead.”  During much of my sabbatical so far, has been learning to sit with my feelings.  I keep asking myself, “What is God trying to teach me during this season?”  “What, perhaps, is God calling me to do?”  Yes, it is bigger than I can imagine.  Hebrews 11:1, “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.”

How many of us are looking for the light of a clear blue morning?  What is your song of deliverance?  I heard another song of deliverance for me as I walked early this morning.  It is a song written by the legendary, Kris Kristofferson.  The lyrics go like this: “Lord help me, Jesus, I’ve wasted it so, help me Jesus I know what I am.  Now that I know that I’ve needed you so help me, Jesus, my soul’s in your hand.”   I would encourage us to look within or beyond the storm clouds, that is where God, our Creator meets us.  If you are in search of deliverance scriptures here are a few that I’ve been using:  Psalm 23, 2 Samuel 22, Esther 4:14, and Luke 4:18.  These are just a few.  Look, listen, and embrace the song of deliverance God has for us all.

Blessings, 

Tom