It's not a habit....it's just something that I occasionally do....that would be very trivial to anyone else....but helps me to put something into a more clear perspective. The photo that I have is of my sixth birthday party....with myself and other small friends sitting around the dining room table....all smiles....and the birthday cake there ready to be devoured. It was February 4, 1956. Today I thought of that grainy black and white photo as I was reading again of the murders of five missionaries on an Equadorian river beach....on January 8 of 1956....by a violent spear wielding group of Auca indians....for as I sat there in that photo as a new six year old....and my mother took the picture....it had been only a few days short of a month that those missionaries were killed....and as we all smiled....at least five missionary families were probably only beginning to come to grips with life without their husbands and fathers.
Most of us older Christians are familiar with missionary Jim Elliot and the other four missionaries who died that day....and we are familiar with Jim Elliot's wife....Elizabeth Elliot....through her books and her story as the wife of a martyred missionary.
I had heard the quote before....as many of the readers to these posts had.....but I heard it anew a few days ago in a sermon by well-known in Reformed circles....Welsh theologian and pastor....now pastoring in South Carolina....Derek Thomas....(I recommend that you look him up and listen to the sermons and teachings of this minister of the gospel)....that quote being...."He is no fool to give what he cannot keep....to gain that which he cannot lose."
It was a quote from one of Jim Elliiot's journals....and it was not just a profound quote....but it was so biblical that it has a power to it. The Christian of today that has in effect given up so many of the baubles of life....(for that is what they are)....such as NFL or college football....or the quest for riches....or even the incessant family gathering....(as if that is how God wants us to spend our lives....as opposed to having a passion to bring others into God's family)....who have given up or in some cases biblically moderated them....they have given up something that they could not keep anyway....for something....and is this not powerful....that they cannot lose!
These five men gave up their lives....(they probably would have died by now anyway....Elizabeth Elliot went to be with her Lord six years ago)....for something that they have now....and will have for all eternity....fellowship in the presence of our Lord and Savior and King....Jesus Christ!
I am seventy-one years old....and no matter what way you look at it there is not that much time left....possibly not even a day....for none of us know. It sorrowfully is truly the fool that will not even consider that which could be required of them at any time. Lingering as the years pass on....only hardens the heart more. Today is the day friends....if you have not yet put aside your own thinking and reasoning to listen to God's very clear words to you. Do not let this day go by without considering the true worth of the things of this life.....as against that which includes the ultimate joy that Jim Elliot and his friends had....and will have forever!
Note: It is also well known to Christians that many of those same Auca indians that were part of the killings on that day....through the persistence and love of even the families of those they killed....had come to know the Lord and Savior of Jim Elliot...and Peter Fleming....and Ed McCully....and Roger Youderian....and Nate Saint!
