Manuscripts

A BEAUTIFUL LIFE by Sam Dilbeck Sam Dilbeck hails from Oklahoma, where he was born in Midwest City. He grew up in the pleasant hills of Caddo, OK. He graduated with honors from Caddo High School and attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University on academic scholarships. In November of 1991, Sam, influenced by Herschel Bonnet and Weylan Deaver, decided to attend Southwest School of Biblical Studies in Austin, TX. While in school at Southwest, Sam and Julie were members of the Dripping Springs congregation from August 1992 to July 1994. Carl Garner served as the preacher and taught at Southwest. As per Carl’s grading scale, Sam and Julie sat on the second row in order to get an “A.” During Sam’s second year at Southwest, he began preaching by appointment when asked and regularly preached every other week at Lulling, TX. After graduation, Sam and Julie moved to Granite, OK to work with the church there. After their first year, they had their first son, Jason in September 1995. In September 1996, Sam began working with the church in Leonard, TX. He has served there for nearly six years. In the years since moving to Leonard, Sam and Julie have had one more son, David. Sam has recently been working toward a degree in Speech Communication from Texas A&M at Commerce. He continues to serve the church as well as host a weekly radio program. Sam and friend Eric Gayle have started a new publication for teens and young adults called Pierced. The first issue is due to mail in September 2002. Each year Sam also directs a session of Bible camp for kids in Redwater, TX. The Lord’s church enjoys many songs to offer as a sacrifice to God (Heb. 13:15). They tell of His grace; mourn the death of His Son; and rejoice over His victory. These songs proclaim the glory of the church and the salvation of the blood while convicting the sinner of his iniquity. Singing these songs reaps joy and happiness for the righteous heart. Therefore, it is with thankfulness that this manuscript is dedicated to the understanding and appreciation of a spiritual song. Background In 1918, William M. Golden penned A Beautiful Life. Little is known about Golden or the circumstances of this song. In fact, the only information that can be given is the publication date of 1918. A Beautiful Life proposes to remind Christians of the daily need to pursue righteousness. Specifically noted in this song is the need to serve others. Jesus said, “If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all” (Mark 9:35). Golden understood this need and set to score an ode that focuses on the need to be a “servant of all.” Each stanza follows the theme of service. Daily Deeds The first stanza begins with a promise of daily work and service through “golden deeds.” A golden deed abides by the golden rule, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Mat. 7:12). Among the golden deeds that Golden has planned is “helping those who are in need.” Christians extend the hand of help to those in need around them. It is not enough to be harmless like the priest and Levite in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-17). The point of Jesus’ parable is that good neighbors help those in need. In comparison to eternity, earthly life is a span—it has a beginning and an ending (Ecc. 3:1-2; Heb. 9:27). “I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (Jno. 9:4). Jesus spoke these words of His own mission, but their impact is no less binding on those called Christians—do good while this life lasts. Paul captured this sentiment too, “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:16; cf. Col. 4:5). A Child of God The second verse opens with directions on how to be a “child of God.” Initially, one becomes a child by obeying the Gospel. “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:26-27). One is born through baptism into the family of God (Jno. 3:3-5). Secondly, one continues to be a child through righteous living. John separates the children of God from the children of the devil, declaring that those who do not work righteousness are not of God (1 Jno. 3:10). “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Rom. 8:14; cf. Jno. 8:39-44). Under righteous living the child of God must let his light shine before all. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Mat. 5:16). The child of God must worship Jehovah as a true worshiper (Jno. 4:23-24). This includes “sing[ing] His praise while ages roll.” Finally, the child of God offers comfort to those who are troubled. “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Cor. 1:3-4). Enduring Life The third verse centers on the life that will endure. In the context of the song, enduring life means a life that extends past the earthly span in the first stanza. Of course all lives will continue past death whether in heaven or hell. Yet, of these two eternities, only one is desired—heaven. The hellish alternative results in the “second death” (Rev. 20:14). For this life to endure in heaven, certain conditions must be met within its span. Golden enumerates a triad of adjectives to describe the conditions of this life. First, it must be a life of kindness. “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32). Secondly, the enduring life manifests goodness. This means Christians must produce good fruit (Mat. 3:10). This sets the example for the world to follow and glorify God (Mat. 5:16). The import of doing good shines in Christ’s command to do good even to one’s enemies (Mat. 5:44). Finally, the enduring life shows purity. A pure life is chaste and holy before God. It seeks to live by His rule. Philippians 4:8 summarizes the enduring life, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” If the mind meditates upon these things, the life will begin to follow them. The singer then promises to make a stand for God. One must stand against sin, false teachers and false doctrines. However, in the context of this song, the stand is against those troubles and trials that afflict the lives of others. It means to stand against poverty by giving aid; stand against hunger by offering food; stand against oppression by standing up to the oppressors. According to the song, it means “lend[ing] a helping hand.” The Rapid Journey Reiterating the idea of lending aid and help, the fourth stanza introduces the brevity of life. Hence as we help others, our life continues to draw to an end with “rapid speed.” This draws one’s mind to the words of James, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow” (Jas. 4:14). During this rapid journey, the Christian seeks to help those who are sick, poor and weak. “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men” (1 Thes. 5:14). Thus, they “help someone in time of need.” Christians also speak words of kindness in order to make life easier for others to bear. “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Col. 4:6). The wise man’s words are full of grace and beauty (Ecc. 10:12). The fifth stanza centers on making life brighter for others. The road of life wearies even the stoutest of travelers. Under normal conditions, life depletes strength. Add to that the trials, troubles and tribulations and life becomes a burden, a weight that pulls one to his knees. Yet, in the midst of the trials and troubles, the Christian reaches out to his fellow traveler and tries to ease the burdens of his life (Gal. 6:2). By doing this he seeks to look to the welfare of others (1 Cor. 10:24). This helps to make life brighter for the wearied traveler. In addition, the Christian strives to “turn the night to day.” Night is a symbol of distress, ignorance and sin. Turning this night to day involves alleviating the stress, teaching righteousness and offering salvation. This demonstrates Christians living as children of the Light (Eph. 5:8). Finally, to make life a bit brighter one can do simple things that mean a lot. The song indicates this by making “flowers bloom along the way.” Giving the world and its people the gift of flowers is simple yet it adds so much. Other simple acts of kindness accomplish the same thing. Sending a card to a shut-in; mowing the yard of an elderly person; taking a food dish to the bereaved. The list of simple acts is nearly endless, but their effect to the troubled heart is amazing. They truly brighten the day of their receiver. The Evening Sun In the chorus, life is symbolized by a day—sunrise is its birth and sunset is its death. As each literal day passes, the symbolic day of life draws nearer to its sunset. Thus, in a relatively few days this life will end and the Judge will call all before His throne (Rev. 20:12). Every soul will be judged according to the deeds that he did while on earth. In this way one will “meet the deeds that [he] has done” (Mat. 16:27). In the song, these good deeds will be rewarded with heaven. Heaven is the eternal day “where there will be no setting sun.” Conclusion Through the use of expressive language, A Beautiful Life directs its singers to live a life that seeks to do good to all men. Those who utter its words make a promise to God to live the beautiful life of service to others. This song exemplifies Galatians 6:10, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Christians should rejoice to sing and tell of their commitment to the beautiful life.