I’d Rather Have Jesus

Psalm 84:10 “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”

February 1, 1909, ushered into the world a new baby boy. The fourth of eight children born to a Methodist preacher and his wife in Winchester, Ontario, Canada, George Beverly Shea was eventually to become “America’s beloved gospel singer.”

From a young age Bev loved music, and it was soon apparent that he had been gifted with a beautiful singing voice. Though naturally shy, he slowly began to sing in church and develop the talent that God had given him.

His mother was a huge spiritual and musical influence in his life and encouraged him in his pursuit of music. Sensing the struggle her maturing son was having with decisions about how to use his beautiful voice, she left a poem by Rhea F. Miller on the piano for him to find.

When young Bev sat down at the piano he found the touching poem and immediately began composing a tune to put to the words. The song, I’d Rather Have Jesus, became one of his most well-known songs and also formed a testimony for the rest of his life.

He decided that he would give up any offers brought on by his talent if they did not specifically glorify his Savior, Jesus Christ. He turned down many opportunities to become a “star” in the music field but God rewarded his humble attitude by connecting him with the famous evangelist Billy Graham.

George Beverly Shea joined with the Billy Graham Crusade when he was in his late thirties and used his beautiful bass-baritone voice to sing all over the world. He ministered the gospel in song to thousands and thousands of people, many of whom came to know Christ. He recorded more than seventy albums, composed numerous songs, and influenced millions of people with his humble attitude and beautiful voice.

On April 16, 2013, “America’s beloved gospel singer” went home to be with his Lord at the age of 104. He lived out the words of his famous song and gave up everything that kept him from serving his Savior. I am sure he would have said with the writer of today’s Bible verse, “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”

Read the words of his song and consider if you, too, would rather have Jesus.

Love,

Mama