If

‘If’ is such a little word, but it holds great promise

I was reading that magnificent poem, ‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling, when I was struck by the thought that ‘if’ is such a little word, but it holds great meaning and promise.

In John 15:7-10 these words are spoken by Jesus:

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.

Jesus uses the word to tell us what great things will come to pass, if we obey Him.

So often worldly demands and temptations draw us away from His side, and we do not achieve what Christ requires. We do not obey His ‘if’, and so we fail to receive His promise and blessings. As we stay following the world’s way, then what we ask of Jesus will not come to pass, but if we are faithful to Him in every way, we can remain as His own and also receive whatever we ask of Him.

Jesus tells us that the greatest command is to “Love the Lord your God with heart, soul, mind and strength, and your neighbour as yourself.”

Love is the gift that gives us the ability to hold on.

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the will which says to them, ‘Hold on!’
(Excerpt from ‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling)

I so often forget the responsibility that is on my shoulders. If I obey His commands, just as Jesus has obeyed His Father’s commands, I will remain in His love.

Can I keep on, faithful to the very end?

With His help, I can!
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me” – Philippians 4:13.

As we strive then, there is no ‘if only’! Then we will have achieved the fulfillment of ‘If’.

Help me Lord to be faithful to Your will and way, so that there will be no ‘if only’ which will cause regrets and disappointments. I hold on tightly to Your promise to help and guide me throughout life. Thank You!

Ann Goodfellow

Ann is a retired widow and writes on a regular basis. She is published in articles, blogs and books. She has written six prayer and devotional books and has also been writing a weekly Prayer Guide for 30+ years. Ann has two children and five grandchildren and she enjoys gardening, especially propagating and growing Clivia Miniata.