Yesterday was the anniversary of the death of Jim Elliot, who along with fellow missionaries Ed McCully, Pete Fleming, Roger Youderian and Nate Saint, were killed by members of the Waodani people in 1956. The five were involved in Operation Auca, an evangelistic mission in Ecuador to reach the Waodani with the Good News of Jesus. Elliot was just 28 years old. The killers of the five were later saved. Elliot has left a legacy of radical, costly discipleship that is largely absent today in the western church. This extract is taken from his journal and sums up the man:
I walked out to the hill just now. It is exalting, delicious, to stand embraced by the shadows of a friendly tree with the wind tugging at your coat-tail and the heavens hailing your heart, to gaze and glory and give oneself again to God – what more could a man ask? Oh, the fullness, pleasure, sheer excitement of knowing God on earth! I care not if I never raise my voice again for him, if only I may love him, please him. Mayhap in mercy he shall give me a host of children that I may lead them through the vast star fields to explore his delicacies whose finger-ends set them to burning. But if not, if only I may see him, touch his garments, and smile into his eyes – ah then, not stars nor children shall matter, only himself. Oh Jesus, Master and Centre and End of all; how long before that glory is yours which has so long waited you? Now there is no thought of you among men; then there shall be thought for nothing else. Now, other men are praised; then none shall care for any other’s merits. Hasten, hasten, Glory of Heaven; take your crown, subdue your kingdom, enthral your creatures!
