When You called my name...

Something that has been buzzing in my mind over the past year is summed up in this Newsboys song...

"When You Called My Name," Lyrics: Steve Taylor, Peter Furler

I want to preach the Word
They want massages
I check chapter and verse
They check their watches
I spy another yawn
I might as well be gone
Let's stand and say "Amen"
Some days I must admit
I still don't get this
Could be it's time to quit
When days get like this
I slip into the night
Then stumble towards the light
Wake up and try again

Chorus
When You called my name
I didn't know how far the calling went
When You called my name
I didn't know what that word really meant
When I recall Your call
I feel
So small

Could be I'm losing touch
Could be they don't care
Lord knows I don't know much
Lord knows I've been there
I trip toward my retreat
I fall down at Your feet
Get up and try again

Chorus
When You called my name
I didn't know how far the calling went
When You called my name
I didn't know what that word really meant
When I recall Your call
I feel
So small
Lord, what did you see
When you called out for me?

I start losing heart
And then
It comes again
Lifted from despair
By the prayers of someone
Lifted form despair
By the prayers of someone

Amy Carmichael

My daughter is reading this biography on Amy Carmichael by Elizabeth Elliot (A Chance To Die) and was very impressed by this godly missionary. While my girl was telling me about this missionary I remembered that I had this little book written by Amy Carmichael (If), which I thought may be good for her to read as well. As I leafed through that old book again, I was struck again of my own unholiness. And struck again by the glory of Christ and His great gift of salvation. Humbling indeed, but much needed as I struggle along with ministry in the Church. People want this and that in the church (they want to see "this" happen and "that" happen), yet people don't realize that God calls and uses people to do "those things," those ministries, in the church -- and these people do not lift a finger to help. It makes me wonder sometimes. Some drastic ideas have crossed my mind recently, but they may be needed. Oh well, need to pray more about it and seek wise counsel. All of this is humbling, so from a spiritual vantage point, all of these trials are good for my soul. No pain, no gain (Heb. 12:11). Here's a quote from Amy's book, If:

"If I have not the patience of my
Savior with souls who grow slowly;
if I know little of travail (a sharp
and painful thing) till Christ be
fully formed in them,
then I know nothing of Calvary love."

The well of Calvary love is deep. Let us all drink deeply of it every day...