Shadow of the Almighty

This evening I resumed reading Shadow of the Almighty, which I had left off reading last year and never got back to finishing. It is a biography of Jim Elliot, largely comprised of his journal entries and copies of correspondence. Jim's writings are honest, personal, passionate and compelling; he truly was seeking a soldout life and it is a convicting, yet inspiring read. I would encourage everyone especially young people to read it, and would like to quote a section dated from October 24th - 29th 1949.

October 24: I see the value of Christian biography tonight, as I have been reading Brainerd's Diary much today. It stirs me up much to pray and wonder at my nonchalance while I have not power from God. I have considered Hebrews 13:7 just now, regarding the remembrance of certain ones who spake the word of God, 'consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith.' I recall now the challenge of Goforth's Life and By My Spirit, read in the summer of 1947, the encouragment of Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret, and The Growth of a Soul. There are incidents which instruct me now from the reading of J. G. Paton's biography, read last winter. And now this fresh Spirit-quickened history of Brainerd. O Lord, let me be granted grace to 'imitate their faith.'
October 27: "Enjoyed much sweetness"(as he puts it) in the reading of the last months of Brainerd's life. How consonant are his thoughts to my own regarding the 'true and false religion of this late day.' Saw, in reading him, the value of these notations, and was much encouraged to think of a life of godliness in the light of an early death.
October 28: One of the great blessings of heaven is the appreciation of heaven on earth. He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.
October 29: On reading a letter to Bert from Wilfred Tidmarsh I responded to a simple urge to offer myself for the work there in Ecuador. This morning it struck me as quite a presumptuous action and I covenanted with the Lord quietly that I would not post the letter unless I had some definite word from Himself. It seems the situation he is in demands that he abandon the Indian work among the Quichuas, because of his wife's health.
Later: after reading in Ephesians 4, 5, and 6, the words 'redeeming the time' struck me. The marginal reading encouraged me even more, 'buying up the opportunity.' And when I turned to the Greek I had certainty that I should mail the letter.


Those are truly striking passages - note the progression. David Brainerd was a missionary among the American Indians and died of illness before he was thirty. Reading a biography on him, Elliot was impressed, influenced, and encouraged to continue in the life of godliness. In light of this he penned what is likely his most well-known quote; the following day he wrote of a strong desire to go to Ecuador. Looking back and knowing what he could not have known then makes for a very intriguing and powerful text to ponder. Elliot's words came from a heart of love and devotion to his Father which was built upon the abundant grace given him through Christ. This enabled him to later on give what he couldn't keep to gain that which he could not lose. His was not a wasted life.