By Bert Montgomery
http://connectedchristianity.com/
Thank God for Willie Nelson!
Recovering in bed after the skillful hands of a surgeon removed about twelve inches of my colon, my spirit is being refreshed by the skillful voice and hands of a master musician. A short stack of favorite CDs lay next to the bed, but the one receiving the most playtime is Willie’s 1978 classic, Stardust.
Funny, Stardust isn’t even my favorite of Willie’s albums. But there is something magical about it—all of those old pop standards, like “Georgia on My Mind,†“Someone to Watch Over Me,†and “On the Sunny Side of the Street.†It is a joyous record that always lifts my spirits in a way that few others can.
I’ve also been reading some Thomas Merton. Merton writes in The Seven Storey Mountain, “It is a wonderful experience to discover a new saint. For God is greatly magnified and marvelous in each one of His saints: differently in each individual one. There are no two saints alike: but all of them are like God, like Him in a different and special way.â€
OK—so Merton had “discovered†an ancient saint in the Catholic tradition who was speaking to him in a personal way. But I’m stating it right here and now: WILLIE NELSON IS A SAINT!
You may question the subject matter of some of Willie’s songs. You may point out some of Willie’s personal habits. But I’m telling you—nobody, but nobody, can sing “I’ll Fly Away,†“Uncloudy Day,†or “Amazing Grace†with more gospel exuberance than Willie!
Maybe it’s his honesty. There’s no self-righteousness here—Willie is who he is. He doesn’t hide his failures or habits from himself or anybody else. That’s one reason Willie really speaks to me: I wish I could be so transparent before God and others.
Maybe it’s his activism. Willie freely speaks his mind about and gets his hands dirty working on the moral issues of the day. His work for family farmers in an age of corporate greed run amuck. His opinions and songs about war (present war included). His continued support of underdog political candidates who aren’t owned by big money interests.
Yes, Willie has a gut-level integrity and a strong moral compass that reflect the Truth of the Gospel. I only wish more preachers (myself included) could have such a moral compass and such personal integrity!
Whatever it may be, I can’t really explain it. But, I am constantly brought into a spirit of joy and yes, into the very presence of God, when I listen to Willie Nelson.
I doubt any other Baptist preacher has ever declared someone a saint—especially someone usually considered quite the sinner. But there is something about Willie Nelson that reflects the love of God to me and into the world. In Merton’s terms, there’s something about Willie Nelson that is like God in a unique and special way.
So, here’s to Saint Willie—the patron saint of rebels, outlaws, and exceptional sinners! Thanks be to God!
Amen!!!
I thought so, too! Music is so healing, and Willie’s music is magically healing.
this is the 2nd preacher in a week or so that’s had a sermon or article on willie nelson. it’s good to see people are finally catching up to how cool the guy really is.
‘the tao of willie’ has helped a lot, i think. i keep going back to it because it has so many pearls of wisdom in it.
Sounds a little like the guy is on morphine or some pain killers, listening to Willie music, doesn’t it? But his sentiments are real, bless his heart. I agree completely. Willie is so many things, nice for people to see all sides of him.
My kid always says our church choir doesn’t sing Amazing Grace or I’ll Fly Away the right way cause they don’t sing it like Willie.lol
This reminds me so much of my friend JD’s song…”God Looks Like Willie Nelson” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J17cQlMC_YQ
I definately have to agree.
Thanks for that, Kate.