End of the Spear
That’s a fantastic movie by the way- I highly recommend it.
I ran across a quote by Jim Elliot that brought this movie to mind. The movie is about the life of Jim Elliot, Nate Saint and the other amazing men on the journey with them. The quote was this:
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose”
Jim Elliot did just that. He gave up his life- which none of us can keep, it is not up to us to decide when we live or when we die. He gained the glory of being in the presence of God and a home in Heaven- which will never be taken from him.
Jim Elliot is fairly well known, but in case you haven’t heard the story, I’ll enlighten you. He was an amazing man, following God spiritually and physically. He felt God calling him to Ecuador. He had a desire to share the gospel and lead others to Christ. Jim died trying to contact the Auca Indians in Ecuador.
You should know that the Auca Indians were a violent and murderous tribe. Their initial contact with this tribe was encouraging, as they shared some modern things they had with them (balloons, pictures, balls, etc). They even shared a dinner with a few members of the tribe.
The next day they waited with anticipation to meet more members of the tribe. Before making the trip from the beach where they had landed their plane to the village of the Aucas, they were attacked. Although Jim and the men with him had brought firearms they had agreed not to use them unless absolutely necessary. Even in the midst of being attacked, they did not use any weapon, not one Auca was injured. The men lost their lives that day, sharing the gospel of Christ.
After their deaths, there were many conversions to Christ by the Indians of Ecuador. Elisabeth (Jim’s wife) and daughter, Valerie, continued his mission. They went to live and work with the tribe that had murdered Jim, Nate and the other men. The forgiveness Elisabeth and Valerie showed these Indians brought many to Christ.
Even in the death of those amazing men, the seeds they had planted were growing. I also recommend “Through Gates of Splendor” a book by Elisabeth Elliot.
I cannot fathom the kind of passion that would require. Shamefully, I can say that I don’t think I have that kind of passion and drive.
“God, I pray Thee, light these idle sticks of my life and may I burn for Thee. Consume my life, my God, for it is Thine. I seek not a long life, but a full one, like you, Lord Jesus.” ~Jim Elliot
