May 7, 2017 (Sunday)
Yesterday’s blog told the story of how I began singing in church. The story continues today, as I recall singing “If I Gained the World” for the first time. I had not heard the song much, but I really did like it and wanted to do a good job of singing it. I’m afraid I was not very well prepared, and almost totally inexperienced, so when I messed up, I told the congregation that the Devil was responsible. That’s what I really thought, I suppose, but a little more experience taught me better. I came to realize that sincerity and devotion to the Lord help the soloist, but those virtues cannot substitute for patient rehearsal and genuine preparation. I learned my lesson.
|
IF I GAINED THE WORLD
Anna Olander
Oskar Ahnfelt
1904
If I gained the world, but had not Jesus,
Were my life worth living for a day?
Could my yearning heart find rest and comfort
In the things that soon must pass away?
If I gained the world, but had not Jesus,
Would my gain be worth the lifelong strife?
Are all earthly pleasures worth comparing
For a moment with a Christ-filled life?
Had I wealth and love in fullest measure,
And a name revered both far and near,
Yet no hope beyond, no harbor waiting,
Where my storm-tossed vessel I could steer;
If I gained the world, but had not Jesus,
Who endured the cross and died for me,
Could then all the world afford a refuge,
Whither, in my anguish, I might flee?
O what emptiness!–without the Savior
‘Mid the sins and sorrows here below!
And eternity, how dark without Him!
Only night and tears and endless woe!
What, though I might live without the Savior,
When I come to die, how would it be?
O to face the valley’s gloom without Him!
And without Him all eternity!
O the joy of having all in Jesus!
What a balm the broken heart to heal!
Ne’er a sin so great, but He’ll forgive it,
Nor a sorrow that He does not feel!
If I have but Jesus, only Jesus,
Nothing else in all the world beside–
O then everything is mine in Jesus;
For my needs and more He will provide.
