Amy Carmichael gave her life to God through her service in India. A missionary for more than 50 years of her life. Amy went to India thinking she would do something totally different from what God used her once she was there and willing to be His. It all started with rescuing children from those who were planning to make temple prostitutes out of little children, girls and boys alike. More than one thousand children were cared for through the ministry of Amy.
When Amy was told that the children would only tie her down her response was this, “Why could I not be tied down for the sake of my Lord whose feet were once nailed.”
“Surely if Jesus can give all that he had, I can do no less.” Amy Carmichael
Amy’s life was characterized by Obedience, total commitment, and selflessness.
Amy looked at this who the world had a hard time loving and saw them through the eyes of Christ.
Interesting note, I read so many of the hero’s of the faith who have spiritual roots in the Methodist movement as did Amy. There came a time when she felt it necessary for the Lords best work to be done that she did not stick with just one denomination, rather she was non-denominational in order to work with every group that was willing to help.
When told that the family was broke after her fathers early death, Amy felt no pity at all but rather quoted Matthew 6:24-30 which reads in the NLT
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. 25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
A mark of most of the world changers that read is that people understand that we are to be like Christ and not focus on outward appearance. Here is one of her motto’s when welcoming people to bible study or to worship.
“Come one come all, to the Welcome Hall, and come in your Working Clothes.”
Many times throughout her life Amy heard God speak to her “In what she would call audible instances.” If you have walked with the Spirit of God, you will understand this. If you have never had such an experience, I pray that you do. Some call these mystical experiences. I just call it the Holy Spirit of God.
No matter where she went to do ministry, Amy believed that her real home was in the future with God in Heaven. She had no faith in earthly, temporary things. These were to be used for God’s work but never embraced as more important than God and His mission.
Amy believed the summation of Holiness was contained in Matthew 22: 34-40 NLT
34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again. 35 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” 37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Amy had a list of questions she asked every volunteer who came to work with the children and I would ask each of us as we follow Christ in whatever ministry we have been called.
“There are some who would have Christ cheap, Christ without the Cross. But the price will not come down.”
“Will you pay the price to live a crucified life?”
Ronnie