Extreme Wounds

On October 24, 1931, Amy Carmichael prayed, “God, please do with me whatever You want. Do anything that will help me to serve You better.” As a missionary to India and a “mother” to the many Indian children she had rescued from prostitution at pagan temples, Amy was accustomed to praying and trusting God for the outcome.

Later that same day, she fell, dislocating an ankle and breaking her leg. Because of complications, Amy was hopelessly crippled and spent most of the next twenty years confined to her room.

But Amy didn’t waste time brooding over her condition. She refocused her energies on writing and encouraging the saints around the world. She sent thousands of letters from her bed, authored thirteen books, and wrote beautiful poetry.

Hast thou no wound? No wound? No scar?

Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,

And pierced are the feet that follow Me;

But thine are whole: can he have followed far

Who has nor wound nor scar?

(From Mountain Breezes by Amy Carmichael)

Response

Amy became crippled, yet her wounds brought her closer to God. She walked in sweet fellowship with a Savior she had come to understand better because of her scar. People who have gone through a particular tragedy relate to one another and feel an instant bond. Those who come from divorced families relate to each other in a way others cannot. The same is true of Christ. When we suffer, we begin to relate to Jesus on a whole different level. We feel He knows our hurts, and we somehow have a greater sense of His. What are your wounds teaching you about Jesus? Are you allowing them to draw you into a more intimate relationship?