Amy Carmichael wrote convicting prose in her classic "If..." Much to reflect on from her life of service among the orphans of India. Selections below, and the complete work is found here.
If I belittle those whom I am called to serve, talk of their weak points in contrast perhaps with what I think of as my strong points; if I adopt a superior attitude, forgetting "Who made thee to differ? And what hast thou that thou hast not received?" then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I can enjoy a joke at the expense of another; if I can in any way slight
another in conversation, or even in thought, then I know nothing of Calvary
love.
If I do not feel far more for the grieved Savior than for my worried self when
troublesome things occur, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I feel bitter toward those who condemn me, as it seems to me, unjustly,
forgetting that if they knew me as I know myself they would condemn me much
more, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If souls can suffer alongside, and I hardly know it, because the spirit of
discernment is not in me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If the praise of others elates me and their blame depresses me; if I cannot rest
under misunderstanding without defending myself; if I love to be loved more
than to love, to be served more than to serve, then I know nothing of Calvary
love.
If I have not compassion on my fellow-servant even as my Lord had pity on me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
(Amy Carmichael)
If I belittle those whom I am called to serve, talk of their weak points in contrast perhaps with what I think of as my strong points; if I adopt a superior attitude, forgetting "Who made thee to differ? And what hast thou that thou hast not received?" then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I can enjoy a joke at the expense of another; if I can in any way slight
another in conversation, or even in thought, then I know nothing of Calvary
love.
If I do not feel far more for the grieved Savior than for my worried self when
troublesome things occur, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I feel bitter toward those who condemn me, as it seems to me, unjustly,
forgetting that if they knew me as I know myself they would condemn me much
more, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If souls can suffer alongside, and I hardly know it, because the spirit of
discernment is not in me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If the praise of others elates me and their blame depresses me; if I cannot rest
under misunderstanding without defending myself; if I love to be loved more
than to love, to be served more than to serve, then I know nothing of Calvary
love.
If I have not compassion on my fellow-servant even as my Lord had pity on me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
(Amy Carmichael)
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