Elisabeth Elliot: A Life Surrendered to God's Calling
Journeying Through Faith, Obedience, and Sacrifice
In Elisabeth Elliot's Own Words: A Glimpse into Her Early Life
Elisabeth Elliot's life was a testament to unwavering faith, obedience, and sacrifice, and it all began with her early years. In her own words:
"My parents were missionaries in Belgium, where I was born. When I was a few months old, we came to the U.S. and lived in Germantown, not far from Philadelphia, where my father became an editor of the Sunday School Times. Some of my contemporaries may remember the publication, which was used by hundreds of churches for their weekly unified Sunday School teaching materials.
Our family continued to live in Philadelphia and then in New Jersey until I left home to attend Wheaton College. By that time, the family had increased to four brothers and one sister. My studies in classical Greek would one day enable me to work in the area of unwritten languages to develop a form of writing."
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." - John 1:1 (NIV)
Elisabeth's early years were marked by a deep connection to the Word of God, which would become a guiding light in her life.
Surrendering to God's Call
In her early adulthood, Elisabeth pursued her education and, ultimately, a degree in classical Greek. However, her life took a transformative turn when she felt God's call to missionary work. Elisabeth embraced this divine calling, giving up her plans for academia and choosing a life of service.
"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."- Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
Elisabeth's decision to surrender to God's call echoed the very essence of this scripture. Her journey took her to Ecuador, where she lived with the Waorani people, an unreached tribe, and sought to share the gospel with them.
Obedience in the Face of Tragedy
Tragedy struck Elisabeth's life in 1956 when her husband, Jim Elliot, along with four other missionaries, was tragically killed while attempting to make contact with the Waorani. In the midst of grief and heartache, Elisabeth's faith and obedience shone brightly.
"For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it."- Mark 8:35 (NIV)
Elisabeth's unwavering obedience, even in the face of unimaginable loss, was a testament to her faith. She continued her missionary work, living with the very people who had taken her husband's life, sharing the message of God's love and forgiveness.
Elisabeth Elliot's early life was a profound journey of faith, surrender, and obedience, setting the stage for her lifelong dedication to serving God's purposes. Her story continues to inspire and challenge us to live a life wholly surrendered to our faith.
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