Isabel Lilias Trotter’s story is one of a life totally surrendered to her God from her early days onward. There are several bio books on her life out there, and one would do well to read up on her life. She gave up a career that many feel would have made her one of the most famous and influential artists of her day so that she might live in obedience to her Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. That life took her into working with poor, homeless, and working women in London in the mid-1800s, and then to Algeria where she spent 40 years in ministry to Muslims.

Of her life one of her coworkers in the mission band stated, “She set her face steadfastly to follow her Master.” Indeed she did, which in her mind was not unusual but the way of Christ in every true disciple. Lilias died in Algiers in 1928.

“God loves with a great love the one whose heart is bursting with a passion for the impossible.“

“And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long, Streams on the ear the distant triumph song, And hearts are brave again and arms are strong. Alleluia.”

“The homeless stranger amongst came To this land of death and mourning; He walked on a path of sorrow and shame Through insult and hate and scorning. A man of sorrows, of toil and tears, An outcast man and lonely; But He looked at me and through endless years Him I must love, Him only.”

“One can do nothing but empty one’s purse into that nail-peirced hand.”

“You can only obey God.”

Trotter image public domain. Banner image via author, Beartooth High Lakes, Wyoming