IF I GAINED THE WORLD - Anna Olander

If I gained the world, but lost the Saviour,
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 lost the Saviour,
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 lost the Saviour,
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 Saviour
‘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 Saviour,
When I come to die, how would it be?
O to face the valley’s gloom wihtout 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.

Anna Olander
From the Sedish