When on vacation in 1989 in Emerald Isle, North Carolina and my children were still quite young, one day I decided to go to a local Christian bookstore. I came across a book written by a woman whom I had never heard of. As I began skimming the pages I knew this was a must read. The title of the book was, ” Chance to Die” the life and legacy of Amy Carmichael.
The author was Elisabeth Elliot whose own life and legacy have spoken volumes to me and countless others across the globe. I have read many of her books and have the blessing of being in an audience hearing her speak. She has challenged me countless times through her writings and her calm authority when she stands behind a podium.
To this day even though she is in her nineties and others are caring for her, I am grateful that she chose to live her life for the glory of Christ and flesh out for all of us what it truly means to take up your cross and follow Him.
Here is one of her quotes that have recently spoken to me.
” There is no ongoing spiritual life without this process of letting go. At the precise point where we refuse, growth stops. If we hold tightly to anything given to us, unwilling to let it go when the time comes to let it go or unwilling to allow it to be used as the Giver means it to be used, we stunt the growth of the soul.
It is easy to make a mistake here, “If God gave it to me,” we say, “its mine. I can do what I want with it.” No. The truth is that it is ours to thank Him for and ours to offer back to Him, ours to relinquish, ours to lose, ours to let go of – if we want to find our true selves, if we want real life, if our hearts are set on glory.”
― Elisabeth Elliot
So true! It even applies to our children that are from God! Thank you!
Elizabeth Elliot has a way of saying things that gently reprove, encourage and motivate. This is a great reminder and makes me want to dust off her books and reread them. Thanks!