If

If you can trust when every one about you
Is doubting Him, proclaiming Him untrue;
If you can hope in Christ though all forsake you,
And say 'tis not the thing for you to do;
If you can wait on God, nor wish to hurry,
Or, being greatly used, keep humble still;
Or if you're tested, cater not to worry,
And yet remain within His sovereigh will;
If you can say 'tis well when sorrow greets you,
And be content e'en though you lot be drear;
If you can be reviled, and never murmur,
Or being tempted, not give way to sin;
If you can fight for right, and stand the firmer,
Or lose the battle when you ought to win;
If you can really long for His appearing,
And therefore set your heart on things above;
If you can speak for Christ in spite of sneering,
Or to the most unlovely one show love;
If you can hear the call of God to labor,
And answer "Yes," in yieldedness and trust,
And go to tell the story of the Saviour
To souls in darkness o'er the desert's dust;
If you can pray when Satan's darts are strongest,
And take the road of faith instead of sight,
Or walk with God, e'en though His way be longest,
And swerve not to the left hand or the right;
If you desire Himself alone to fill you,
For Him alone you care to live and be,
Then 'tis not you, but Christ who dwelleth in you,
And that, O child of God, is victory!

Grace Reynolds