The Legacy of Jim Elliot

On June 8, 1956, Jim Elliot, along with four other men, flew into a remote jungle in Ecuador in order to share the Gospel with the Auca Indians. On that glorious day all five men were martyred for the cause of Christ at the hands of the very men they had came to reach.

Jim Elliot was only 29 years old when he was killed. He left behind a young wife and a baby daughter, but he also left an incredible legacy of faith.

Even at the very young age of 29, Jim Elliot had learned what it meant to walk in intimacy with God, and displayed an enthusiasm for the lost greater than most men twice his age.

Here is a prayer that he wrote on August 14, 1953.

Lord God, and Father, I call upon Thee to enter all the avenues of my life today and to share every detail of it with me. Even as Thou hast called me to share with Thee thy life, and all the wonders of it. As I am entering Thy treasures, Thou must not come in to possess all mine. As I am to share the destiny, glory, and future affairs of Thy Son, so would I now have Him share this small destiny of earth which is mine, the joys of it, and all its small matters-that we should be One, Thou and I, even as we are in Christ.

Jim Elliot was not content just going to Heaven, or using Jesus for earthly treasures. He longed to walk with God in Oneness and fullness every day. Oh that we should desire to walk with God and proclaim Him to others as this young 29 year old displayed.