When God wants to name a man and fame a man and tame a man…
When God wants to shame a man to do His Heavenly best;
When He tries the highest test that His reckoning may bring…
When He wants a [god] or king; how He reins him and restrains him
So his body scarce contains him; while He fires him and inspires him…
Keeps him yearning, ever burning for that tantalizing goal.
Lures and lacerates his soul…
Sets a challenge for his spirit; draws it highest then he’s near it!
Makes a jungle that he clear it; makes a desert that he fear it…
And subdue it, if he can—so doth God make a man!
Then to test his spirit’s wrath, throw a mountain in his path;
Puts a bitter choice before him and relentlessly stands o’er him…
Climb or perish, so He says; but watch His purpose, watch His ways.
God’s plan is wondrous kind—could we understand His mind?
Fools are they who call His blind!
When his feet are torn and bleeding; yet his spirit mounts unheeding…
Blazing newer paths and finds;
When the Force that is Divine leaps to challenge every failure,
And His ardor still is sweet –
And love and hope are burning in the presence of defeat!
Lo the crisis, Lo the shouts that would call the leader out…
When the people need salvation doth he rise to lead the nation;
Then doth God show His plan…
And the world has found a man!