I had an unexpected blessing at church this morning. I knew there was going to be special music by a former longtime member and his wife. They sang perhaps the most recognizable anthem of faith, Bill and Gloria Gaither’s Because He Lives.

That song really is one of my favorites and a testament to faith. The chorus sums it.

Because He lives,
I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives
All fear is gone.
Because I know
He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives.

It is because Christ lives … not lived … I can go on day after day, through pitfalls and disappointments, good times and successes. It’s the foundation of my faith.

There are many times when life gets tough and it is hard to move forward. It’s easy to become paralyzed with fear. But if you are able to reach back and tap into the lifeline offered by a risen Christ, life becomes bearable and worth living … just because He lives.

When you look around and see the despair all around — including the insecurities and faithlessness — it’s not hard to figure out why.  I often wonder how people face adversity without a belief system that focuses on a brighter future. Their despair turns to cynicism … their insecurities turn to deprecation or bullying or worse; their faith in themselves, others and a higher power wanes. Self takes over. Isn’t that the world we’re living in today?

Because He lives,
I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives
All fear is gone.
Because I know
He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Confident, happy and secure people stand out because what’s on the inside shows on the outside.