For the last 20 years of her life, missionary Amy Carmichael was basically immobile. She spent much time in her room reading and writing, and that work produced encouragements for millions around the world.
Amy had spent 50 years in ministry, especially to women and children in poverty and slavery. She had maintained a consistent focus on the gospel of Christ. She had great desire to see many come to know eternal hope that only comes through repentance of sin and faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God. Her undying stance on the gospel and the truth of God’s word was unwavering.
There was a time in her ministry when her work was under threat of being undermined by people who did not hold to the inspiration and authority of Scripture. It was a time when Amy had to increase her commitment to truth and to be aware of the commitment to truth in others. Whenever the gospel is affected, the stakes couldn’t be higher. It was at this time that Amy would find out more about the people who were sent to help her. One of the questions she would ask them was, “Besides the bible, which three or four books have helped you most?”
Amy knew the importance of influence. The works that influenced people most would highlight the value they placed on the integrity of truth in their ministry. Their best reading would tell her something about how they might influence others. Her own discipline of reading was geared toward her own edification and strengthening in her ministry. It was said of Amy that, even while she did read some fiction, she had little time for it. She was a lady who desired to plumb the depths of truth as she hoped to stand strong in truth and know and serve her Lord more.
As I read some of these comments about Amy Carmichael, I found myself wondering how I might encourage both men and ladies in our own church with materials that profoundly edify and strengthen their own ministries to their families and others. Obviously, nothing ever replaces the Scripture for the infallible truth we all need. I do however think that if Amy Carmichael was with us today, she would say there is an enormous difference between an edifying reading schedule and a mind numbing one.
Amy would ask people what they were reading to find out how committed to the truth of Christ they really are. It was a good question. By highlighting this, I’m not saying that fiction is in any way harmful (I suppose it depends on the fiction). Nor am I saying that a reading schedule must be filled with the writings of puritans. However, I do think there is a general question in Amy’s example for all of us. If you were sitting in front of Amy Carmichael today and she asked you, “What besides the bible are you reading?”, how might you answer her question?