Stand Up Against Criticism
Kathie Lee was undoubtedly disappointed by the outcome of her Broadway show, but she wasn’t surprised by the harsh criticism. “Any time we share Jesus on a large platform, there will be push-back,” Kathie Lee remarks. “Some folks will do anything to stop the message. And I’m not just talking about the world – I’m also talking about Christians. When we stand up and dare to take great leaps of faith, some Christians will be our worst critics. But none of this is new. The religious community despised Aimee Semple McPherson, and the religious community despised Jesus. They called Him scandalous, too! Jesus broke the rules. He healed on the Sabbath, hung out with prostitutes, and made friends with tax collectors. He was willing to step beyond the limitations of tradition in order to touch the brokenhearted, heal the sick, and love the unlovely. That’s exactly what we’re called to do. In the opening song of Scandalous, Aimee sings, Stand up when the goin’ gets tough. Stand up high enough to touch what you dream. Most people will never step a foot in a church, but they’ll go to theater, watch television, or read a magazine. So we must stand up and share the gospel wherever God has planted us. Christians have to be willing to get dirty, and do whatever it takes to share Jesus. We must stand up against criticism, stand up against legalism, and stand up against fear,” Kathie Lee urges.
A Different Kind of Pulpit
When I asked Kathie Lee whether she considered herself to be a minister, she said: “Yes, I believe that my life and career is a ministry. If you have a pulse, you have a purpose. My pulpit is in the entertainment world, and someone else’s pulpit might be in a hospital, classroom, or wherever. But every Christian is in ministry. We just need to remember that God doesn’t want us to be a bunch of phonies. We need to tell people that they can come to God broken and scandalous. God will be their Healer. He will be the Father to the fatherless. If more Christians exuded genuine love – instead of self-righteousness – this world would be a different place. It’s time to stop judging and start loving,” Kathie Lee shares.
I don’t know what God has in store for Kathie Lee, but He’s not done with her yet. You can call it predictive or just obvious, but her message will continue to uplift people – especially women – for generations to come. In Scandalous, Aimee Semple McPherson sings:
Why You chose a woman is a
mystery to me
But a woman who behaves
never writes history
This is what I was born for ...
Help me heal them, help me to
trust, for such a time as this
Kathie Lee’s inspiring lyrics and unconventional life teach this message: Follow God – no matter what you face. Criticism will come, and set-backs will challenge your faith. But fearlessly stand up, and dare to answer your call. 
