Radical Faith in a World Full of Spears

“Teach me to treat all that comes to me with peace of soul and with firm conviction that you will govern all.”

Elizabeth Elliot wrote these words despite the fact that her husband, Jim Elliot, was slain by the exact tribe he had been ministering to, in Equador.

I am sure Elizabeth didn't expect to be a widow, didn't plan to have the one she'd prayed for have a spear places straight through him.

Yet, Elizabeth didn't retreat, didn't flounder, fear, shrink. She preached peace, God's sovereignty, and actually went back into the jungle to convert the very ones that killed the one she loved.

And in a day when spiritual warfare seems to be intensified, in a day where we too often shrink back due to offense or out of bitterness, Elizabeth Elliot was a woman who exemplified true grace, giving mercy to her murders, loving Jesus more than life itself.

The Bible is filled with examples just like her; Esther risking her life for the Jewish people, David standing against Goliath, Elijah challenging the false spirit, Baal in an epic battle against God vs. god.

And yet, when we step back, look around, we can almost feel small, insignificant. We can forget God's sovereignty and feel useless in our calling. We can trade our Missional life for relevance and mediocrity. We can shrink back instead of standing strong, run from the enemy instead of wanting Christ known, more than we want our safety.

Haven't we all felt the pressure caving in around us like the walls on a Double­-O-­Seven movie?

Felt like running, hiding? Wanted to throw in the towel, sometimes? Live more out of safety than be sanctified?

And yet in life, don't we all deeply desire to take the torch that has gone before us, make a mark on history whether it be in parenting, church service, or living over seas as full time missionaries?

Still, the pressure to trust ourselves more than God's sovereignty can be suffocating, damaging to our grace filled walk of full dependency on God.

And sometimes, don't we just want to look in the eyes of those that have gone before us; grab their faith, have their courage, draw from the well the Samaritan met Jesus at; deeply knowing, He satisfies, He is our knight and shining armor, He is the fullness of life every person desires?

Elizabeth ran towards the jungle, a place most might flee from. She looked her husband's murderer in the eyes and told him about Jesus.

And yet, in a day where the enemy seems relentlessly whispering lies and intimidation; what if we were all like Elizabeth's, running towards darkness instead away from it?

What if the questions didn't need to be answered, the doubt's were simply silenced with the truth that God is in charge of it all. What if we shrunk in His peace and let His purposes reign, giving life to the fact that this life isn't ours at all.

What if the word empowered us so much that we found glorifying God, more important than life itself?

The Bible is filled with faith giants. It's not too late for each of us to rise as bold Elizabeth's, courageously living as Missional Women in a world of pointed spears.

About Jen:

Though born, raised, and still living only miles from where she grew up, Jen's heart lies in the nations. Jen loves the beautiful tapestry found in the wide diversity of people, different cultures, and all nations.  Jen and her husband have been married twenty years, and have parented fifteen kids and counting; twelve foster, one adopted, and two bios.  Her multi-racial family reflects her passion for unity, desire for faith without walls, and missional mindset to share both the gospel and the power of redemption to a world desperately needing the hope found in Jesus Christ. Jen and her husband have led in a variety of ministries; including prayer, small groups, children's, and women’s.  Jen advocates for the orphan as a board member for the non-profit, A New Song; and loves doing missions work internationally, along with her family.  You can find Jen writing about faith, while challenging her readers at her blog, Rich Faith Rising, as well as at tweeting faith-filled messages @Jen_Avellaneda .  Jen is also on facebook.

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