IF

Written by William Haddad

, on 17 May, 2023

(A Christian version of the well known poem by Rudyard Kipling)

If you can follow Christ when all around you
Are following themselves and their desire
If you can trust the Shepherd who has found you
And walks with you through every flood and fire
If you can act with grace and not be acting
If you can love in deed, and love indeed
Or do good works, but not to be distracting
And show the flower, not who plants the seed

If you can feel the ground beneath you shaken
And standing firm in Christ, withstand the test
If you can see the thing you wanted taken
And be content that God knows what is best
If you can bear to live with your heart broken
And not return its state from flesh to stone
Nor make its healing terms of your devotion
But offer every part to God alone

If you can wear each piece of Godly armour
And learn to wield the Spirit sword with care
And not let quarrels in the Church disarm her
But always keep the saints with you in prayer
If you can use each talent that God gave you
To glorify and magnify His name
And knowing what it cost the Lord to save you
Bear your own cross, though He has borne the blame

If you can rise to heights while staying humble
Or plunge the depths and not bemoan the dive
Or pick yourself up from each fall and stumble
And keep the faith as long as you’re alive
If you can walk with God through each disaster
And by His grace endure the race you run
Then, entering the joy of Christ your Master,
Shall you hear, “Good, faithful servant, well done!”

– William Haddad

William Haddad
Born in Lebanon, raised in Australia, born again in Australia and raised with Christ, seeking things above. Just a man aspiring to become all things to all men so that by all means I may save some. I owe all to the saving grace of God in Christ Jesus and much to His children whom He has placed in my life.

3 Comments

  1. Jenia

    Very nice & inspiring poem!
    God bless you, dear brother William!

    Reply
    • William

      The Lord bless you as well. Thank you, brother.

      Reply
  2. C Storm

    I love RK’s “If” but this is much better!

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Register with gravatar.com to link your profile photo to your email address and so to this comment

You May Also Like …

The Two Tables of the Law

It has become customary to think that when God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, one of the stone tablets contained the first four, and the other, the remaining six. Why? Because...

read more

Hold on to Christ

Hold on to ChristFor when the worldMay blissful beAnd full ofOpportunityRemember inThat ecstasyYour eager handHas hold of HimWho made it Hold on to ChristFor when the warIs...

read more

Clarity and Clutter

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of...

read more
Share This