IF

Amy Wilson Carmichael (1867-1951) was a missionary in India who opened an orphanage and founded a mission in Dohnavur.  She served in India for 55 years and wrote many books about the missionary work there.

One of the little books she wrote is in my possession, and it has come to be a book that I read quite often in my devotional time with the Lord.  It is not a book to pick up read once, and put back on your shelf.  It is a book you can read a little tidbit of every day.

IF (link here).

IF is a little book with a huge impact about how Calvary love can be found in our daily lives.

In this book, Amy speaks deep into your heart with questions that start with If... and the answers to these questions she asks will illuminate what is living deep within your heart.

 Some of the questions in this little booklet will prick your heart deeply...

 If I wonder why something trying is allowed, 

and press for prayer that it may be removed; 

if I cannot be trusted with any disappointment, 

and cannot go on in peace under any mystery, 

then I know nothing of Calvary's love. 

If I ask to be delivered from trial rather than for deliverance out of it, 

to the praise of His glory; 

if I forget that the way of the cross leads to the cross and not to a bank of flowers; 

if I regulate my life on these lines, or even unconsciously my thinking, 

so that I am surprised when the way is rough, and think it strange, 

though the word is, "Think it not strange," "Count it all joy", 

then I know nothing of Calvary's love.

If, when an answer I did not expect comes 

to a prayer which I believed I truly meant, 

I shrink back from it; 

if the burden my Lord asks me to bear 

be not the burden of my heart's choice, 

and I fret inwardly and do not welcome His will, 

then I know nothing of Calvary's love.  

If I slip into the place that can be filled by Christ alone

making myself the first necessity to a soul 

instead of leading it to fasten upon Him,

then I know nothing of Calvary love. 

If there be any reserve in my giving to Him

who so loved that He gave His dearest for me;

if there be a secret "but" in my prayer,

"anything but that Lord"

then I know nothing of Calvary's love. 

Has your heart been pricked reading these little thoughts?  A tiny book, just a few pages long... but its impact upon the heart mighty.

May we seek to love even as Christ our Lord loved us... a task sometimes that seems quite impossible... but we have been gifted by the Lord with power that He bought for us at Calvary... and loving as He loved... a calling for all of us who have answered the call to follow Christ, at any cost.  

This scripture often speaks to my heart and perhaps sums up the message of this little book so well...

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, 

if ye have love one to another. 

John 13:35 

Oh the love of God! How unspeakable are its reaches, its depths unknown!

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, 

that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 

Ephesians 3:19 

A promise given to us... that we can be FILLED with all the fulness of God when we know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge.

That is my hope, my desire, my longing today... to know the love of Christ in such a way that I would be filled with all the fulness that God has to offer.

A little book with a profound message. IF.... it is a book that probes deep into the dark spaces of your heart, and cause you to think, even as you go about your day... do I know Calvary's love?

On this beautiful Lord's Day, I pray that the love of Christ will be shed abroad in our hearts in a greater and mightier way than ever before. This dark world needs to know about the love of Christ, and we need to be ambassadors of His love in all we do.

May the light of the love of God be in all you do today.  :)

I may be sharing this post with: 

Strangers & Pilgrims

Home Matters
Roses of Inspiration
Mosaic Monday
Darling Downs Mondays
No Place Like Home
What Joy Is Mine