Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns.
And many a fellow turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man.
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor’s cup.
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt.
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar.
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit,
It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit.

Although I do not currently have the title and author for this inspiring poem, I wanted to include it as inspiration for ministers and others.  If you have the author and exact title, please let me know.  I know that its message has encouraged me to keep going when I felt like giving up.

God hath not promised
Skies always blue,
Flower- strewn pathways
All our lives through;

God hath not promised
Sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.

God hath not promised
We shall not know
Toil and temptation,
Trouble and woe;

He hath not told us
We shall not bear
Many a burden,
Many a care.

But God hath promised
Strength for the day,
Rest for the laborer,
Light for the way,

Grace for the trials,
Help from above,
Unfailing sympathy,
Undying love.

Annie Johnson Flint

I have enjoyed this poem both personally and as a speaker for many years.  I first heard Dr. J. Vernon McGee read it on the radio.  Later I found it on a card.  I have referred to it for my own life and used it in numerous sermons.  Through the years several people have asked me for copies. 

I hope it blesses and encourages you like it has me and others around me.

God builds no churches.  By his plan
That labor has been left to man.
No spires miraculously arise,
No little mission from the skies.

Falls on the bleak and barren place
To be a source of strength and grace.
The humblest church demands its price
In human toil and sacrifice.

Men call the Church the House of God,
Toward which the toil-stained pilgrims trod
In search of strength and rest and hope,
As blindly through life’s mists they grope.

And there God dwells, but it is man
Who builds that House, and draws its plan;
Pays for the mortar and the stone
That none need seek for God alone.

The humblest spire in mortal ken
Where God abides was built by men.
And if the church is still to grow,
Is still the light of hope to throw.

Across the valley of despair,
Men still must build God’s House of Prayer.
God sends no churches from the skies.
Out of our hearts they must arise.

(Edgar A. Guest)

This wonderful poem by one of my favorite poets trumpets a very important truth, especially for those involved in church planting or church growth.  We give God the glory whenever we build a new church building, whether it is a first building, a second worship center, a new education building, or family life center, and we should give Him the glory, because nothing of eternal significance happens apart from Him.  However, we must also remember that He has delegated the work of the church to us.  God does not actually raise the money and draw the plans and get the permits.  He has delegated that work to men and women and we are responsible for it.  Guest points out the “other side of the coin” in this great poem. 

This poem is great for a fund raising banquet, or to include on a program for a building dedication or many other similar occasions.  It is also very inspiring to Pastors and church leaders who are involved in the process of building anything for God’s church and God’s kingdom.

I have had the privilege of leading several different building programs and capital campaigns and this little poem has been an inspiration to me and others.  I hope it is a blessing to you, as well.