At times the language in the book is difficult and the prose is dense. Sources (most unnamed) are as varied John Buchan novels, Pilgrim's Progress, Victorian poets, and missionary biographies of a hundred years ago. Because of the antiquated language this book needs to be read slowly. Because of it's unflinching call to Christian maturity, it also needs to be read prayerfully.
A major theme in the book is submission to God's will, but this is no wimpy resignation. God does not ask for the dull, weak, sleepy acquiescence of indolence. He asks for something vivid and strong. He asks us to cooperate with Him, actively willing what He wills, our only aim His glory. (p. 40)
I have many favorite quotes but I'll try to limit myself to just a few:
God forgive us for the strange coldness of so much of our love. The calculating love of Christians is the shame of the Church and the astonishment of angels. (p. 139)
Before the peace which passeth understanding can be ours, there must be a renunciation of faithless anxiety. (p. 81)
And my very favorite: We live a double life. Forces of distress may assail us (as they continually assailed our Lord), and we are called to labor from the rising of the morning till the stars appear, and yet all the time in the inner life of the spirit we are marvelously quickened, and raised up and made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (p. 218)
A very worthwhile book for patient readers, especially those who are feeling side-lined by difficult circumstances.
2 comments:
As much as I have read of Amy Carmichael, I don't think I have ever read this one. I love her Rose From Brier on the same theme, written after receiving some tracts that were ineffective because they were from well people telling ill people how they ought to feel. So she wrote from her experiences. It's one of my favorite books on suffering, along with Joni Eareckson Tada's When God Weeps and Elisabeth Elliot's A Path Through Suffering.
Love the thought of submission not being wimpy resignation but rather full cooperation with God.
I've had this on my stack for a long time. I'm planning on starting it in the new year. Thank you. I have really been blessed by Carmichael's writings over the years. I'm slowly working through Thou Givest, Thou Gather currently.
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