Perhaps
you are familiar with the story of missionary Jim Elliot who in 1956,
along with four others, was killed while attempting to reach the Waodani
people in Ecuador with the gospel. His life attitude is often shared
in this quote, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
Leadership Weekly shares the following story:
In
January 2006, author Randy Alcorn had the opportunity to join with Jim
Elliot's family for a dinner that marked the 50th anniversary of the
martyrdom of Jim and four other missionaries in Ecuador. Randy writes:
There
we met Jim's older brother, Bert, and his wife Colleen. In 1949, years
before Jim went to Ecuador, they became missionaries to Peru. When we
discussed their ministry, Bert smiled and said, "I can't wait to get
back from furlough." Now in their eighties, they are in their sixtieth
year as missionaries, joyfully reaching people for Christ.
Until that
weekend I didn't know anything about them. Bert and Colleen may enter
eternity under the radar of the church at large, but not under God's ….Bert
said something to me that day that I'll never forget: "Jim and I both
served Christ, but differently. Jim was a great meteor, streaking
through the sky." Bert didn't go on to describe himself, but I will.
Unlike his brother Jim, Bert is a faint star that rises night after
night, faithfully crossing the same path in the sky to God's glory. I
believe Jim Elliot's reward is considerable, but it wouldn't surprise me
to discover that Bert and Colleen's will be greater still.
We
certainly don't presume to know how God will reward any one of us, but
we do take his promises to heart. We will reap if we don't faint. We
are so thankful for each and every one of you who serve so faithfully,
especially behind the scenes, without fanfare and often without
acknowledgment! On that day the Lord will reward. In the meantime, let
us, "shine like stars in the heavens by turning many to righteousness"
(Dan 12:3), and by serving "with the strength that God supplies" (1
Peter 4:11). Again, thank you to you who serve! As we seek to become
fully discipled followers one step is working for Christ. Let me
encourage each one to worship Christ and walk with Christ but to also
work for Christ by finding a place of service.
Roger