Although Aimee Semple McPherson was a remarkable pioneer, she was deeply flawed. “Aimee was gifted, but she was a saint and sinner. She was seduced by the sinful world that she tried to save. That’s the story of so many preachers, and it’s the story of so many Christians,” Kathie Lee reflects. “We have to always remember that we’re called to be in the world, but not of it. That means, we’re supposed to bring our light into dark places, without becoming consumed by darkness. Aimee’s life is an incredible, complex, extremely human story – men, sex, drugs, extreme loneliness, and scandal after scandal. But her life pushes us to knock down the pedestals that Christians are placed on. God didn’t use Aimee Semple McPherson because she was perfect. He used her because she made herself available. This reminds me of the story of David and Goliath. Some people completely miss the miracle in that story. The miracle wasn’t that David killed Goliath. During David’s time, many shepherd boys protected their flock by killing lions and bears with stones and slings. David was no different in that regard. The miracle was David’s willingness to say ‘yes’ to God. He was willing to show up and slay Goliath. God needs people who will stand up and show up. That’s what made Aimee Semple McPherson an extraordinary woman. Even though she was deeply flawed and imperfect, she allowed God to touch thousands through her life,” Kathie Lee further states.
Photographed by Rebekah Mae
A Set-Up, Not a Set-Back
As commanding as Kathie Lee’s message is, Scandalous closed on Broadway less than four weeks after it opened. Brutal critics – many of whom appeared to be waiting for an opportunity to kick the “overly-bubbly” Kathie Lee – ripped the musical apart. It also didn’t help that Hurricane Sandy (the second costliest hurricane in United States history) surged New York City – cutting power, and flooding streets, tunnels, and subway lines. But it’s interesting how God works. He often asks us to complete an assignment, without
disclosing every step in His plan. And of course – in the middle of the plan – the devil will challenge our faith, and make us feel like we’ve failed. We must see, however, that our “set-back” is a set-up for something far greater than we imagined. God always finishes the work that He asks us to begin. Here’s living proof: Scandalous closed on Broadway, yet we’re still being strengthened by Kathie Lee’s stirring message. In fact, the song “How Could You?” is one of my favorite tracks on the Original Cast Album (released June 15, 2013). It’s the bellow of every person who, at some point in their life, felt deserted by God. The lyrics, written by Kathie Lee, cut straight to the human heart:
Is that what a faithful God would do?
How could You? Why would You?
When we did everything You asked us to?
Well, now, I have one thing to ask of You
How could You?
“When Scandalous closed on Broadway, I felt like God abandoned me,” Kathie Lee confides. “It was the first time in my life that I did exactly what God asked me to do, and look what happened. I spent almost 13 years obsessing over this project. And many talented people trusted me, and invested in me – composers David Friedman and David Pomeranz – three-time Tony Award nominee Carolee Carmello (who delivered an unbelievable and Tony Award-nominated performance as Aimee) – and many, many, many other talented people. I felt betrayed. There have been days when I’ve asked the Lord, How could You abandon me? How could You allow this to happen? But who can understand the mind of God? Even though it hurts, I still believe that the valleys of our lives strengthen our faith. I’m choosing to lay all of my pain at God’s feet. That’s where faith kicks in. Faith is holding on to God’s love, even when we can’t feel it – even when we don’t understand it,” Kathie Lee encourages.
