Him Who Speaks
Can you imagine having your husband, father of small children and man of all kinds of possibility, fly into the middle of the rain forest and witness to the most vicious tribe on the face of the earth that is near killing itself off in its own bloodthirsty depravity? Can you imagine losing your young husband and father to this cause? Hearing of his body floating in the river and pierced through repeatedly with a spear? Explaining this to your children, that their father won't be returning? And then instead of returning to the comfort of your parents back in "safe" America, remaining in the brutal land that has deprived you of so much because He tells you to?
Can you imagine women of this brutal tribe coming out of the woods and seeking your words and ways and Truth? Being not only open to them, but loving them? Can you imagine these women telling, not asking, you to come back into the depths of the forest with them and spread this Truth there. And then you go, with one other woman and your three-year-old towheaded little girl, like a mad woman because He told you to?
But what's more, can you imagine your thoughts? Them being not thoughts of what death you are walking to, what horrors you will face- but thoughts of victory and courage and confidence? What kind of woman does this? Who is she? Who is her God? I must read more writings of Elizabeth Elliot's.
I read "Passion and Purity" when I was in high school and found her a bit legalistic- an over-zealous fanatic, and the challenges she offered overwhelmed me. And yet, those were the years when I was undeservedly blessed with the opportunity to go into this very forest, and sleep for two nights by these once-vicious-killers, now-redeemed-saints. It took a day trip on a single lane road around a mountain-side, a flight on a single engine plane, and then a 5 hour boat trip in a dug-out tree to get to the site of the future clinic. Even deeper in that jungle than the Waodani Village. And while it was in every way the senses could capture, an amazing journey, I was too young to fully reap the benefits. But then I only knew the story of these missionaries through the eyes of a daughter. A selfish 15-year-old girl who was more interested in the adventure and the people, than the Power behind them.
But now- now I see it through the eyes of a wife and mother. Now I crave these bold challenges He was offering me back then in the words and story of Elizabeth Elliot. What a difference it makes; to know all that they put on the line because they loved Jesus and knew Him to be real- all He says He is, all He claims to be. What sort of reality is that? Where without hesitation you would give up anything just to follow His voice? Just to hear His voice? To find His favor and know Him more?
Why is God so merciful to grant an undeserving 15 year old girl a trip into the jungles? And give her a youth group leader in the man who lost his father to the only worthy Cause there is? A man like Steve Saint? Who is the God of Steve Saint and and Elizabeth Elliot? I want to know Him! Give me Him and nothing less!
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood...
25See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks...he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens."[e] 27The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29for our "God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12)
Do yourself a favor- if you haven't already seen it- rent "Beyond the Gates of Splendor." You won't be disappointed.
