Not in Vain by Amy Carmichael

I just read a wonderful piece by Hudson Taylor, a missionary to China. Many thanks to the friend who sent it my way. You can find it here. As i was reflecting on it I was thinking how most missionaries I know spend their lives not only serving but SEEKING...seeking God..seeking His peace. I want me some of that rest! His yoke is easy, His burden is light. (Mt 11:30.) There are no books for that..there is no checklist...no website.. just time with Jesus. This poem speaks to me because she was talking about her journey through China but it can apply to so many situations, even raising special needs kids.


Not in Vain by Amy Carmichael- missionary to India.

Not in vain, the tedious toil, On an unresponsive soil,
Travail, tears in secret shed, Over hopes that lay as dead.
All in vain, thy faint heart cries. Not in vain, thy Lord replies:
Nothing is to good to be; Then believe, believe to see.

Did thy labor turn to dust? Suff’ring – did it eat like rust
Till the blade that once was keen, As a blunted tool is seen?
Dust and rust thy life’s reward? Slay the thought; believe thy Lord!
When thy soul is in distress, Think upon His faithfulness.

Though there be not fig nor vine, In thy stall there be no kine,
Flock be cut off from the fold, Not a single lamb be told,
And thy olive berry fall Yielding no sweet oil at all,
Pulse-seed wither in the pod – Still do thou rejoice in God.

But consider, was it vain, All the travail on the plain?
For the bud is on the bough; It is green where thou didst plow.
Listen, tramp of little feet, Call of little lambs that bleat;
Hearken to it. Verily, Nothing is too good to be.