Stay

Lilias Trotter (1853-1928), a sketch in her journal

 

Love, traveling in the greatness of His strength,
Found me alone,
Footsore and tired by the journey's length,
Though I had known
All the long way many a kindly air,
And flowers had blossomed for me everywhere.

And yet Love found me needing Him. He stayed;
Love stayed by me.
"Let not thy heart be troubled or dismayed,
My child," said He.
Slipped from me then, all troubles, all alarms,
For Love had gathered me into His arms.

 Amy Carmichael (1867-1951)

Hold me fast by Thee

Lilias Trotter (1853-1928), a sketch in her journal

Lover of all, I hold me fast by Thee,

Ruler of time, King of eternity.

There is no great with Thee, there is no small,

For Thou art all, and fillest all in all.

The new-born world swings forth at Thy command,

The falling dew-drop falls into Thy hand.

God of the firmament's mysterious powers,

I see Thee thread the minutes of my hours.

I see Thee guide the frail, the fading moon

That walks alone through empty skies at noon.

Was ever wayworn, lonely traveler

But had Thee by him, blessed Comforter?

Out of my vision swims the untracked star,

Thy counsels too are high and very far,

Only I know, God of the nebulae,

It is enough to hold me fast by Thee.

 Amy Carmichael (1867-1951)

Make me thy fuel, flame of God

Hear us, Father, we are weary.
Help us, Spirit, with our tasks unfinished.
Feed us, Yeshua, with yourself — bread and water, living and broken.

Lilias Trotter (1853-1928), an unfinished sketch in her journal

From prayer that asks that I may be

Sheltered from winds that beat on Thee,

From fearing when I should aspire,

From faltering when I should climb higher,

From silken self, O Captain, free

Thy soldier who would follow Thee.

From subtle love of softening things,

From easy choices, weakenings,

(Not thus are spirits fortified,

Not this way went the Crucified,)

From all that dims Thy Calvary,

O Lamb of God, deliver me.

Give me the love that leads the way,

The faith that nothing can dismay

The hope no disappointments tire

The passion that will burn like fire,

Let me not sink to be a clod:

Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.

 Amy Carmichael (1867-1951)