Music is our shared story. Just like with our children, we can begin a line of music and so many can answer back the next line. We shared the shared story of lyrics that give voice to our experiences and remind us of who we are when we have forgotten.
This morning is our second look at requested songs in this sermon series: Music and God Sightings: Theology Hidden in our Midst. These five songs were selected from those submitted by members of the congregation. I give thanks to God for Pastor Shirley’s message last song on Amazing Grace. If you did not get a chance to enjoy it live in person or would like to hear it again, please go to our website to listen. You can read it, listen to, or listen with the visual aids. Today, we look at the song, One Day at a Time. I must admit that as we were shifting through the requests, this song caught my eye. I was not familiar with it, but was curious about the theme. Marijohn Wilkin and Kris Kristofferson wrote One Day at a time. Many artists have sung it, but we will play the version by Merle Haggard, because the requestor wrote Merle Haggard as the singer. Take a listen.
(watch video)
Wilkin, the first writer, was accomplished and successful musician. She was the founder of Buckhorn musical productions. She wrote and published Christian music. Her father passed his musical gifts onto her. She nurtured instrumental and vocal gifts in school, church, and the community. It was a great loss when her father died young. She was incredibly successful as country music songwriter. However, she knew grief and pain; her first husband died in World War II during battle.
Her pain peaked out of her success. She stop attending church, even though it had been her foundation. She medicated her pain with alcohol. Her grief and pain led her to consider her own death. At this point, she realized that she was at the end of her rope. She tells the story that she drove to a small church, asking for a minister. Every pastor has had these kind of world heavy drop-ins, but Marijohn found out later that she was the first person that the young pastor she spoke to had ever counseled.
She recounts is this way: “I drove up in my new, midnight blue Cadillac, dressed in a full-length mink coat with sparkling jewelry and my cowboy boots. I said, ‘I have all kinds of problems.’ He looked at me and said, ‘You look like you don’t have any financial problems.’ I answered, ‘No, I don’t.’ He said, ‘You look pretty healthy.’ I said, ‘Well, I guess I am.’ He then asked, ‘What is your main problem?’ I said, ‘I don’t know.’ He didn’t seem to know what more to say to me. At that point, in our conversation, he said a funny thing, but it was okay, because it worked. He asked, ‘Did you ever think about thanking God for your problems?’ (Ephesians 5:20). I left his office and drove back home.1”
As she drove home reflecting on that conversation, she found herself drawn to the piano and singing out loud. ‘That’s all I’m asking from You. Just give me the strength to do every day, what I have to do.’ She recognized that the song was a prayer and felt incredible relief putting her prayer to music. She called her protégé at the studio, Kris Kristofferson to help her finish the verses. He stepped in and the song was soon being covered and sung by many. In 1975, Marijohn and Kris won a Dove award for the song.
One day at a time teaches multiple biblical truths. From Psalm 90, we reflect on how time for God and time for humans is unique. Lord, you have been the dwelling place of your people for generations. When we begin to believe that we are the first and only ones to be afflicted with challenge, remind us that those who have come before and those who come next, have known and will know challenge. We can rest in you for today, whether we are content or feel anxious. One thousand years in the sight of God is like an evening gone, passing by quickly. The psalmist implores God to help number the days and gain wisdom.
What incredible advice the young pastor gave Marijohn that day. Thanking God for our problems. We have heard to count our blessings, but never our troubles. Never would we think to say and feel – thank you God for the bills that don’t add up to the income I bring in, I am learning to depend on you. Thank you God for the constant pain in my back that limits what I do, I am learning to value each step. Thank you God for children who cause me to worry with when they will be home and what are they doing, I am learning to pray well. Thank you God for the coworker who frustrates me beyond words, I am learning patience.
With each problem, with each challenge, with each struggle, God offers blessing and redemption. Like manna in the wilderness, mercy is sufficient for that day. The day in which you miss a stop sign includes mercy for that. The day in which you received a life changing diagnosis includes mercy for that. The day in which you could not sleep again includes mercy for that. The day in which your children woke up with nightmares and wanted to be held includes mercy for that. God meets us day by day. God is not once and done. A relationship with God is filled for each and every day. You cannot figure it all out in one day. You need each and every day to life out God’s mercy and God’s love. Today’s strength is for today. It is not for yesterday or tomorrow. Teach us to count our days. Teach us to treasure our blessings. Teach us to give thanks to you for our problems.
The last hymn we will sing today will be Great is Thy Faithfulness. This hymn written by Thomas Chisholm takes the short passage from Lamentations and reminds us that Lamentations 3:22-23 could be our life verses. Written in 1923, it was made popular in the Bible Graham Crusades and Moody Bible Institute. It has been the university hymn of Cairn University, formerly known as the Philadelphia Bible University or Philadelphia College of Bible. For each one of our troubles, for each one of the pains that this day is fill of – God gives us a mercy – just for that challenge. God is faithful. Great is Thy faithfulness. Thanks be to God.
This is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, thanks be to God, Amen.
1http://www1.cbn.com/devotions/end-my-rope-one-day-time
Old Testament Lessons: Lamentations 3:22-23
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Old Testament Lessons: Psalm 90:1-12
Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
You turn us back to dust, and say, “Turn back, you mortals.”
For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past,
or like a watch in the night.
You sweep them away; they are like a dream,
like grass that is renewed in the morning; in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.
For we are consumed by your anger; by your wrath we are overwhelmed.
You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your countenance.
For all our days pass away under your wrath; our years come to an end like a sigh.
The days of our life are seventy years, or perhaps eighty, if we are strong;
even then their span is only toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.
Who considers the power of your anger? Your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.
So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.
Meditations For Your Week
Sunday, August 7~ Saturday, August 13
Sunday: “Lord, you have been our dwelling-place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Psalm 90: 1-2. May your day include Sabbath and rest to give thanks to the God of us all, who is indeed our dwelling place that has been, is, and will be.
Monday: “For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night.” Psalm 90:4. Prayerfully consider where you can ask God to give you a glimpse of God’s vision. Where do you need to remember that the challenges of today will one day pass?
Tuesday: “You sweep them away; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning” Psalm 90:5. God sweeps away the days, one after another. What do you need to let go of from yesterday?
Wednesday: “The days of our life are seventy years, or perhaps eighty, if we are strong; even then their span is only toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.” Psalm 90: 10 Consider spending time contemplating God’s everlasting ways of blessing in comparison to the shifting ways of the world.
Thursday: “So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.” Psalm 90:12. Our wisdom comes from knowing God’s ways. How is God inviting you to count each day one at a time?
Friday: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end;” Lamentations 3:22. God’s love is not limited by human patience. Where can you praise God’s steadfast love?
Saturday: “They [mercies] are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:23. Spend time in prayer giving thanks to God this morning for mercies that are new for you. God’s mercies are fresh today!