Elisabeth Elliot, a missionary pioneer, prolific author and radio speaker, died this morning at age 88. She had been ill with dementia and out of the public eye for years, but her books and radio teachings endure in many hearts. In today’s post, Andy Bramsen shares this tribute to Elliot and describes her influence on his own life. Andy is a professor of political science at Bethel University. He and his wife, Sara, and their two daughters have been part of Church of the Redeemer since August 2013.
As I reflect today on the death of Elisabeth Elliot Gren, I am particularly struck by the power of the stories she told of her life and how those stories have inspired and shaped me. Elisabeth’s deeply personal account in Through Gates of Splendor of the five men and five women (herself among them) who were willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who had never heard it communicated the value and central importance of our faith in a way that went far beyond mere statements. Her transparent story in Passion and Purity of her romantic relationship with Jim and her account of her own family’s strengths and weaknesses in The Shaping of a Christian Family guided and elevated my standards for what was God-honoring in my own relationships. A few months before my own wedding, one of my friends gave me The Mark of a Man as a groomsman’s gift, and it further challenged me about the kind of husband I should become. Perhaps most of all, Elisabeth’s account of her year as a single missionary in These Strange Ashes powerfully brought home the point that God is most interested not so much in what we accomplish for Him but in what He is doing in us and our loving service in response to His work. When I re-read it, this book makes me laugh, makes me cry and most of all, makes me think more deeply about my own relationship with my Savior. For all this and more, I am grateful for the life and work of Elisabeth Elliot.
Click here to read more about Elisabeth Elliot’s powerful life story.
If you have a favorite Elisabeth Elliot book, please share it in the comments below.
2 Comments
Mary Lehman
As a new believer in 1976, I went to a conference where Elisabeth Elliot spoke in Chicago and forever was blessed by her words, her eternal perspective, and later her books and newsletters that “discipled” this baby Christian Episcopalian. I was tongue-tied when I met her at Grace Church in Edina at a missions conference. All I could do was hug her and say “thank you.” I pray I will have the opportunity in Heaven to take a long walk with this amazing lady and look into her tender face and tell her how her response to Jim Elliot’s death, her relationships as a godly wife to two more husbands and her devotion to the amazing Lord who led her through it all impacted my life, my prayers, my teaching and my passion to live for and with Jesus Christ. Thank you, Elisabeth Elliot….Thank you, Lord Jesus.
Cindy Calvin
As a college student and young wife and mother I was blessed by the life and legacy of Elizabeth Elliot. I think I read all her books, and have passed them on to my children because of their timeless wisdom. Twice I attended weekend women’s retreats in Sedona, Arizona where she was the featured speaker; I hung onto her every word! Hers was a life I wanted to emulate because she hung on with unflagging faith to God — proving that His love is never failing, even in the midst of life’s calamities. I remember fondly her signature opening line of her daily radio broadcast — “You are loved with an everlasting love. . . and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Rest peacefully in that everlasting love, Elizabeth. Thanks be to God.
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