From the Darkness, A Sunbeam

Song: “Because He Lives”

“After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also” (John 14:19).

When Bill and Gloria Gaither were teachers in the same high school, they met and began to share ideas about songs. Gloria, an English major in college, would become in later years the predominant author of the lyrics in their songs, while Bill’s forte was the musical setting. Bill had also earned a master’s degree that allowed him to become the head of the English department of their high school. The joint efforts that had their beginning in that school blossomed into the most prolific husband-and-wife songwriting team of modern times.

One of the most admirable characteristics of the Gaithers is their desire to be of assistance to other songwriters and musicians, especially young people. I have been interviewing songwriters for more than forty years, and on several occasions young people have recounted to me their experiences with Bill and Gloria. At least one teenager, who is a famous songwriter and musician today, showed up unannounced at their home one afternoon in Alexandria, Indiana. He was invited to come in and stay for supper. During the course of the evening, he was greatly encouraged.

Of late, many of the older singers and songwriters who had all but gone into retirement are now back out on the road singing from one church to another and from one homecoming concert to the next—thanks to Bill and Gloria and their “Homecoming” series of videos, concerts, and music recordings. The Gaithers have co-written with scores of songwriters in their home, in their studio in their Indiana town, or in some other location. It is considered an honor for any songwriter to have his or her name appear at the top of a music selection as a co-writer with Bill and Gloria.

Now for the story behind “Because He Lives”, perhaps their best known song. In the late 1960s, while expecting their third child, the Gaithers were going through a rather traumatic time in their lives. Bill was recovering from a bout with mononucleosis. They and other members in their church family were the objects of false accusations and belittlement. It was a time of fear for Gloria. The thought of bringing another child into this world with all of its craziness was taking its toll on her.

She remembered that on New Year's Eve she was sitting in their living room, overwhelmed by agony and fear. The educational system was being infiltrated with the “God is dead” idea, while drug abuse and racial tension were increasing. Then suddenly and quite unexpectedly, she was filled with a sweet, calming peace. It was as if her heavenly Father, like an attentive mother bending over her baby, saw His Gloria and came to her rescue. The panic gave way to a calmness and an assurance that only the Lord can give. She was assured that the future would be just fine, left in God’s hands.

Both Bill and Gloria remembered that the power of the blessed Holy Spirit seemed to come to their aid. Christ’s resurrection, in all of its power, was reaffirmed in their lives and their thinking. To Gloria it was life conquering death in their daily lives. Joy once again dominated the fearful circumstances of the day.

All of this gave rise to one of the most famous worship songs of our time, “Because He Lives”. We can face tomorrow, with all of the uncertainty that it brings, as we realize that God holds the future and makes life worth living for all who trust in him. As we remember Christ’s resurrection, we gain assurance and strength to overcome the frightening obstacles in life. It is also very meaningful and empowering to realize that Jesus lives, every day, in our hearts.

© 2008 by Lindsay Terry. Used by permission.

Lindsay Terry has been a song historian for more than 40 years, and has written widely on the background of great hymns and worship songs including the books I Could Sing of Your Love Forever (2008), from which this piece is excerpted, and The Sacrifice of Praise (2002).