Sunday, February 20, 2011

Crisis Man

I, Dottie, have just returned from Colorado due to my father's death. In route to and from Colorado, I was able to read some of Elisabeth Elliot's book, Shadow of the Almighty which was one of Joel's early favorites.

He had underlined or marked various quotes from Jim Elliott. Here are a few that stood out to me:

"Father make me a crisis man. Bring those I contact to a decision. Let me not be a milepost on a single road; make me a fork that men must turn one way or another on facing Christ in me."

W. Somerset Maugham, in Of Human Bondage, wrote, "These old folk had done nothing, and when they died it would be just as if they had never been." Jim's comment on this was,  "God deliver me!"

No legacy then? Was it "just as if he had never been"? "The world passeth away and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever." Jim left for me, in memory, and for us all, in these letters and diaries, the testimony of a man who sought nothing but the will of God, who prayed that his life would be "an exhibit to the value of knowing God."

"He is no fool who gives that he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

One treasure, a single eye, and a sole master."

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."

"How few, how short these hours my heart must beat--then on, into the real world where the unseen becomes important."

"Only I know that my own life is full. It is time to die, for I have had all that a young man can have, at least all that this young man can have. I am ready to meet Jesus."

1 comment:

Debbie said...

Dottie, I only now just read your last post. I had no idea that your father passed away. I am so sorry! I remember how new losses just kept piling on previous losses for me and made the wound so raw! My time of grief lasted a while. I pray for you, dear Sister, that the loving arms of our Gentle Shepherd will hold you close! I love you!
Debbie