Gloria's Story

For I know the plans I have for you.” Declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

As I was researching the song Because He Lives, for this month’s devotion theme, I came across an article that included an interview will Bill and Gloria Gaither about the writing of this song. I don’t believe I can add anything to her account, but I want you to read it also. I will copy it here for you to enjoy and be touched by the meaning behind the words for them.

I am a wife and a mother. It was in the middle of the upheaval in the sixties that we were expecting our third baby. The drug culture was in full swing, existential thought had obviously saturated every area of our American thought, the cities were seething with racial tension, and the God-is-dead pronouncement had giggled its way all through our educational system.

On the personal front, Bill and I were going through one of the most difficult times in our lives. Bill had been discouraged and physically exhausted by a bout with mononucleosis, and in that weakened condition had little reserve to fight the psychological battle brought on by some external family problems. Someone whom we had cared about a great deal had hurled some accusations at us and at the Fellowship of Believers and at the whole idea of the existence of God.

It was on New Year’s Eve that I sat alone in the darkness and quiet of our living room, thinking about the world and our country and Bills discouragement and the family problems and about our baby yet unborn. Who in their right mind would bring a child into a world like this? I thought, the world is so evil. Influences beyond our control are so strong. What will happen to this child?

I can’t quite explain what happened at that moment, but suddenly I felt released from it all. The panic that had begun to build inside was gently dispelled by a reassuring presence that engulfed my life and drew my attention.

Gradually, the fear left, and the joy began to return. I knew I could have that baby and face the future with optimism and trust. It was the Resurrection affirming itself in our lives once again. It was LIFE conquering death in the regularity of my day.

We too can face the future with optimism and trust. We just have to let the Resurrection be affirmed in our lives too. He conquered death and He conquers all that we face in life! We CAN face tomorrow---BECAUSE HE LIVES!!

Pastor Julia Scott