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Ploughed Under
Amy Carmichael, admired writer and missionary, tells the story of Arulai Tara (Star of Grace), the sister of Mimosa. This book reveals the importance of preparing ourselves for obedience to God’s call in our lives; the beauty in remaining faithful in preparing the ground God has given us.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1934
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About the author
Amy Carmichael
138 books337 followersAmy Wilson Carmichael was a Protestant Christian missionary in India, who opened an orphanage and founded a mission in Dohnavur. She served in India for 55 years without furlough and wrote many books about the missionary work there.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 13, 2015
This is a very interesting book mainly told from a child's point of view who became a Christian at a very young age. She experienced a lot of resistance from her family because she was Hindu and becoming a Christian was seen as denying her heritage and her family. At times it is heartbreaking but also encouraging to see her faith stay strong through many trials.
August 13, 2013
This is yet another WONDERFUL Amy Carmichael book!
May 1, 2018
A cleverer, more knowledgable person than me would probably understand more of this book and enjoy it more than I did.
A cleverer person than me would not have any problem with the old language... but I did. Written in the early 20th century by someone born in the 19th century, there was a lot of thees and thous, and other old expressions. I didn't think this would be a difficulty for me, but it added a layer of needed interpretation, albeit a relatively thin layer.
A cleverer person than me would have picked up on literary allusions and quotations... but I didn't. I often felt I was missing out on what the author was alluding to. It seemed she was referring to a common cannon of knowledge of poetry or hymns perhaps - a cannon of a previous generation.
A cleverer person than me would have understood and enjoyed the poetry often quoted... but I didn't. I don't know if the quoted poetry was the author's own or quotes from old hymns. Perhaps if I had been familiar with the hymns quoted, I may have been more easily able to understand why it was being quoted.
A cleverer person than me would have understood and enjoyed the rich metaphors, similes and allegories... but not me. The author uses so much of these literary devices and I was so unfamiliar with the author's context that I was often left confused as to whether it was a metaphor or literally true; or what the simile was supposed to be illustrating.
Having said all this, the little that I did understand of this short book was inspiring, not only because the author's own faith, but also that of the children who appear in the book. The main character, a young girl called Star, chooses to follow the True God despite severe opposition and emotional blackmail from her own family. Another character, a young boy is killed days after his baptism and yet remains faithful to his Saviour even in death.
The author herself clearly had a very living faith, a strong communion with God and a deep love for her Saviour. Reading of her relationship with God, her trust in Him despite very trying circumstances and heartache for the people she was serving, put me to shame. I would love to have a faith more like hers.
I had heard quite a bit about Amy Carmichael, a famous missionary who served briefly in Japan before going to serve in India. Unfortunately, this book has put me off reading any more of her writings, but I would like to read a biography of her, hopefully one that is easier to understand for a simpleton like me.
Let me quote the end of the book, which is where I think the title comes from.
"Come ill, come well, the cross, the crown,
The rainbow or the thunder -
I fling my soul and body down
For God to plow them under.
And this, this only, is the way of joy."
It reminds me of John 12:24 when Jesus speaks of His death:
"unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."
A cleverer person than me would not have any problem with the old language... but I did. Written in the early 20th century by someone born in the 19th century, there was a lot of thees and thous, and other old expressions. I didn't think this would be a difficulty for me, but it added a layer of needed interpretation, albeit a relatively thin layer.
A cleverer person than me would have picked up on literary allusions and quotations... but I didn't. I often felt I was missing out on what the author was alluding to. It seemed she was referring to a common cannon of knowledge of poetry or hymns perhaps - a cannon of a previous generation.
A cleverer person than me would have understood and enjoyed the poetry often quoted... but I didn't. I don't know if the quoted poetry was the author's own or quotes from old hymns. Perhaps if I had been familiar with the hymns quoted, I may have been more easily able to understand why it was being quoted.
A cleverer person than me would have understood and enjoyed the rich metaphors, similes and allegories... but not me. The author uses so much of these literary devices and I was so unfamiliar with the author's context that I was often left confused as to whether it was a metaphor or literally true; or what the simile was supposed to be illustrating.
Having said all this, the little that I did understand of this short book was inspiring, not only because the author's own faith, but also that of the children who appear in the book. The main character, a young girl called Star, chooses to follow the True God despite severe opposition and emotional blackmail from her own family. Another character, a young boy is killed days after his baptism and yet remains faithful to his Saviour even in death.
The author herself clearly had a very living faith, a strong communion with God and a deep love for her Saviour. Reading of her relationship with God, her trust in Him despite very trying circumstances and heartache for the people she was serving, put me to shame. I would love to have a faith more like hers.
I had heard quite a bit about Amy Carmichael, a famous missionary who served briefly in Japan before going to serve in India. Unfortunately, this book has put me off reading any more of her writings, but I would like to read a biography of her, hopefully one that is easier to understand for a simpleton like me.
Let me quote the end of the book, which is where I think the title comes from.
"Come ill, come well, the cross, the crown,
The rainbow or the thunder -
I fling my soul and body down
For God to plow them under.
And this, this only, is the way of joy."
It reminds me of John 12:24 when Jesus speaks of His death:
"unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."
January 10, 2021
A beautiful glimpse Into the life of a little Lover and her Beloved. I left this book challenged to love Jesus with ALL my heart and fiercely take every thought captive that seeks to dishonour my Lord, I also left dog ears on pages so I can return and drink again of strengthening spiritual truths placed throughout the book.
Rich with beautiful word pictures and artistic turns of phrases, I recommend this book to those who enjoy reading books that both delight and challenge the soul.
Rich with beautiful word pictures and artistic turns of phrases, I recommend this book to those who enjoy reading books that both delight and challenge the soul.
June 2, 2024
“To love Him far beyond all created things is to never be desolate.”
A true hero in the faith!
A true hero in the faith!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews