Selected from Pilgrim's Progress


                 " I longed to walk along an easy road
                 And leave behind the dull routine of home
                Thinking in other fields to serve my God
                But Jesus said, "my time has not yet come."

                I longed to sow the seed in other soil
               To be unfettered in the work and free
               To join with other laborers in their toil
                But Jesus said, "Tis not My choice for thee."

               I longed to leave the desert and be led
               To work where souls were sunk in sin and shame
               That I might win them; but the Master said,
               " I have not called thee, publish here My name."

              I longed to fight the battle of my King
              Lift high His standards in the thickest strive.
              But my great Captain bade me wait and sing
              songs of His conquests in my quiet life.

              I longed to leave the uncongenial sphere
              where all alone I seemed to stand and wait
              To feel I had some human helper near
              But Jesus bade me guard one lonely gate.

             I longed to leave the round of daily toil
             where no one seemed to understand or care
             But Jesus said, "I chose for thee this soil
            That thou might raise for Me some blossoms rare.

            And now I have no longing, but to do
            At home or else afar, His blessed will
            To work amid the many or the few
            Thus "Choosing not to choose" my heart is still.