Bob Dylan has a real call of God on his life. Seriously, he does. I actually think a lot of really talented musicians and songwriters who are not Christ-followers, have been infused by God with special gifts of anointed melody and insightful lyric. They were born to sing the song of the Lord, but sometimes, you know, people get sidetracked along the way. Rocky theorizes that some have achieved huge fame by keeping some of what should have been God’s glory to themselves. Probably true.
But I also know that the glory of God is written across the heavens. It’s been written on walls of the pagans (see the book of Daniel in the Bible) and I am keenly aware that it permeates art and story, music and lyric. I can see Him in movies with transcendental deep love that could only reflect the Creator. His glory is visible and real, strong and prevalent, even when the ones who don’t yet know Him, aren’t yet following, are reaching for something, creating from a place they can’t even explain.
So, this Bob Dylan song came to mind a few days back, as I was praying for some treasured ones and I thought I actually heard God singing this very song over them. Garth Brooks made it famous for the soundtrack to the movie “Hope Floats,” and Billy Joel, Tricia Yearwood, Ronan Keating and Bob-D himself, among others, have recorded it. This is Adele’s version. And the more I see and hear the words, the more I am convinced this love song is straight from heaven…
Make You Feel My Love by Bob Dylan
When the rain is blowing in your face
And the whole world is on your case
I could offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love
When the evening shadows and the stars appear
And there is no one there to dry your tears
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love
I know you haven’t made your mind up yet
But I would never do you wrong
I’ve known it from the moment that we met
No doubt in my mind where you belong
I’d go hungry, I’d go black and blue
I’d go crawling down the avenue
There’s nothing that I wouldn’t do
To make you feel my love
The storms are raging on the rollin’ sea
And on the highway of regret
The winds of change are blowing wild and free
You ain’t seen nothing like me yet
I could make you happy, make your dreams come true
Nothing that I wouldn’t do
Go to the ends of the earth for you
To make you feel my love
Copyright © 1997 by Special Rider Music
This blog says so beautifully what I have believed for a long time. I love your courage to voice thoughts that go against popular (in the church) beliefs. Many might cry “NO”. But you are so very right in your words here. And that song is so beautiful, so haunting and hopeful. How could it come from any where but heaven? And he sings it over so many. Awe His love is so amazing and so outside the box. Wonderful writing. Really.
Trisha Yearwood is a favorite of mine, although I like Garth’s version, too. And I’m definitely sold on the heavenly origins. I love it when songs that didn’t used to be praise songs become them. :)