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

Psalm 91:1 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

This is a book I often reach out to in seasons of uncertainty and strife, as well as in seasons of triumph and strength, to remind myself of my purpose in this world and of the greater (greatest) cause that is in God’s kingdom and glory.

This book was written by Jim Elliot’s widow, Elizabeth, incorporating his journal entries as well as letters written to family and friends.  It takes us through his journey as a young teenager who is strongly convicted to spread God’s love, to a young man who dies in his efforts to reach out to communities who have not yet had the chance to hear the gospel. His passion for Christ’s work comes before everything he holds dear, including the love of his life and subsequent wife and widow.

Some of my favourite excerpts from his journal entries:

God, I pray Thee, light these idle sticks of my life and may I burn up 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. 

Father, let me be weak so that I might lose my clutch on everything temporally. My life, my reputation, my possessions, Lord, let me loose the tension of the grasping hand. 

To gaze and glory and to give oneself again to God, what more could a man ask? Oh, the fullness, pleasure, sheer excitement of knowing God on earth. 

And Life, I love thee. Not because thou art long, or because thou hast done great things for me, but simply because I have thee from God. 

Dreams are tawdry when compared with the leading of God, and not worthy of the aura of wonder we usually surround them with. God only doeth wonders. He does nothing else. His hand can work nothing less. Praise to the Guiding God of Israel, and that Great Shepherd of the wayward sheep. When he directs a path, no way can seem bleak, no instance dull. 

Jim’s life and death truly embodied the words of 2 Timothy 1:9 ‘God has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us by Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.’

His zeal for Christ and desire for heaven is so uplifting and heart-warming. This book has never failed to remind me to take my selfish eyes off my own needs, and to focus on the works of the kingdom instead. I would strongly encourage anyone who is curious about mission work, needing some encouragement in their faith, or just wanting to be inspired by a man after God’s own heart, to enjoy this read.

A poem by Amy Carmichael, quoted by Jim Elliot in his journal:

‘And shall I pray Thee change Thy will my Father,
Until it be according unto mine?
But no, Lord, no, that shall never be, rather
I pray Thee blend my human will with Thine.

I pray Thee hush the hurrying eager longing
I pray Thee soothe the pangs of keen desire.
See in my quiet places wishes thronging,
Forbid them, Lord, purge, though it be with fire.

And work in me to will and do Thy pleasure.
Let all within me, peaceful, reconciled,
Tarry content my Well-beloved’s leisure,
At last, at last, even as a weaned child.’

As 2025 already concluded and 2026 begins, may we reflect upon our role in God’s kingdom and be reminded of the great purpose He has put us on this earth for. What a privilege to be commissioned by the Lord! And in Jim’s words, ‘What glory to be weary in the work of the Kingdom!’