Surrending to suffering

Matt and I are reading, Against the Wind, by KP Yohannon. I am currently reading the chapter entitled, "Willing to suffer for His sake."

This poem by Amy Carmichael has greatly impacted me as I have read and re-read it the past few days.

"From prayer that asks that I may be
Sheltered from the 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 spirit 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 that 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."