My favorite song as a child was “Kaw-liga” by Hank Williams and Fred Rose (1953). The story-filled song is about a wooden indian, Kaw-liga, who “Falls in love with an indian maid over in the antique store.” Even as a youngster, I related to Kaw-liga in his fear of the unknown and critical. He was, “Too stubborn to ever show a sign, because his heart was made of knotty pine.” Though filled with feelings of affection, Kaw-liga and I rationalized away opportunity after opportunity to act upon what we felt. Living and loving became difficult to the point of isolation and loneliness. (Pause for Thought: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”—II Timothy 1:7 When do you feel most vulnerable and alone? What does, “perfect love casts out all fear” mean to you?)
My uncle was a guitarist and lead-vocalist in a country-music band. He would always ask for requests when he knew I was in the audience, but I was too afraid to ask for “Kaw-liga”. My aunt would make the request for me, and then she would do something that still amazes me to this day; she would whoop about the stage, dancing like an indian while my uncle sang “Kaw-liga”. My heart still smiles every time I hear the song and reflect on my families’ love for a fear-crippled child.
David did something similar to my aunt when he brought the Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of God’s presence, into Jerusalem (See II Samuel Chapter 6). Though he was a king, he took the part of a dancing slave at the head of the processional entering the city. David’s love for the Lord was greater than his fear of ridicule and criticism. His joy was made complete in the knowledge of who he was in the Lord’s sight. (Pause for Thought: “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”—Psalm 27:1 Have you ever done something others thought outlandish, but another accepted your love because of it? How did you feel before, during, and after your actions? How was Jesus’ life on this earth “outlandish”?)
My uncle passed away earlier this Fall. I was asked by my aunt to speak at the graveside service. The joyful life my aunt and uncle lived had caused me to reflect on my own. As a child, I knew I didn’t want to feel like Kaw-liga when he, “Just stands there as lonely as can be, and wishes he was still an old pine tree.” I claimed the promise of my God and King when he promised me an abundant life; a life full of relationships. That is why I could sing Kaw-liga at the service while my aunt danced. (Pause for Thought: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”—Ezekiel 36:26. Has Jesus’ outlandish life allowed you to have a heart of flesh? If not, what fears are keeping your heart stone-cold? Have these fears helped or hurt your relationship with others? What can you do to live fear-free?)
