Encouragement from the Life of Jim Elliot

This morning, I was listening to a tape (yes, a tape, not a cd) by John Maxwell called Comfort Zone or End Zone.  In it was included the first quote I have listed below.  The quote belongs to the martyred missionary, Jim Elliot (Oct. 8, 1927 – Jan. 8, 1956).  He wrote this in his journal at the age of 21.  It struck such a chord with me because of where I am spiritually right now.  If you have read my entries “Restless Spirit” and “In Hot Pursuit, you will understand what I am talking about.  After hearing this quote read by Maxwell, I decided to search for other quotes by Jim Elliot.  What you see below was mostly found at this website:   http://www.seel.us/christian/Quotes-from-Jim-Eliot.htm.  I would encourage you to read the biography of Jim Elliot.  Here is one biographical website that I found that tells his story:  http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/bios/b4jelliot6ra.htm.  There is also a movie out called The End of the Spear, and I’m embarrassed to say I haven’t seen it, yet.  I will put it on my list of movies, and maybe will watch it at 4:30 one morning. . 

November 28, 1948:

 “Spent this afternoon with Ron at _________’s. They were most hospitable…They have a nice home and belongings and two cute kiddies, but are so like the rest of us that it is again disheartening. We are so utterly ordinary, so commonplace, while we profess to know a Power the Twentieth Century does not reckon with. But we are ‘harmless’, and therefore unharmed. We are spiritual pacifists, non-militants, conscientious objectors in this battle-to-the-death with principalities and powers in high places. Meekness must be had for contact with men, but brass, outspoken boldness is required to take part in the comradeship of the Cross. We are ’sideliners’—coaching and criticizing the real wrestlers while content to sit by and leave the enemies of God unchallenged. The world cannot hate us, we are too much like its own. Oh that God would make us dangerous!”

 

The following journal entry was written exactly 20 years to the day before my birth.  Oh, how I want this to be my prayer today (along with the part of the above quote that says, “Oh, that God would make us dangerous!”).  That I will have a heart like David’s – who was called, “A man after God’s own heart.”  Though I sense God calling me to something bigger than myself, may I never step out in my own self-confidence.  I pray that I will always seek Him first.  Wow, this just makes my heart leap thinking about this!

May 2, 1952:

“Oh for a heart like David’s. For all his obvious powers of leadership he never goes out to lead the people in battle without consultation with Jehovah. Shall I go up? This lack of self-confidence marks him as God’s man for guiding others. He allowed God to press His cause, and the kingdom was established in his hand. Good lessons for the basing of our thoughts about moving to the Aucas.”

 

The next entry goes along with some of my posts where I have talked about dreams and about my boyhood.  I couldn’t agree with Jim more on what he says here.  Following the will of God is the ultimate experience.  This was written a little over 3 years before his death.

December 18, 1952:

“In my own experience I have found that the most extravagant dreams of boyhood have not surpassed the great experience of being in the Will of God, and I believe that nothing could be better. That is not to say that I do not want other things, and other ways of living, and other places to see, but in my right mind I know that my hopes and plans for myself could not be any better than He has arranged and fulfilled them. Thus may we all find it, and know the truth of the Word which says, He will be our guide even until death.”

Here are a few more quotes that I found.  The first one is probably his most famous one:

“He is no fool who gives
what he cannot keep to gain
what he cannot lose.”

“That saint who advances on
his knees never retreats”

“Wherever you are, be all
there. Live to the hilt every
situation you believe to
be the will of God.”

Well, I hope you have received as much encouragement as I have today from a man who truly lived out his own quote of giving up what he couldn’t keep to gain what he couldn’t lose.  Oh, to have the conviction and courage of men like this…  May God help you to keep your focus on what is important today.