Be Like Her
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, talking about a book I really love.
I believe I’ve told you that during COVID-19, I’ve been rereading the classic books of Elisabeth Elliot. I was first introduced to her in 1965 when, in high school, I read her book “Through Gates of Splendor.” And I was mesmerized by the haunting photo of this 29-year-old jungle missionary holding her baby, staring out the window through a cloud of grief. Her husband of less than three years had just been savagely speared to death by the very Stone Age people he had tried to reach for Christ. And yet, Elisabeth never abandoned her faith in Christ. She held on, persevered, and she ended up living among the very people who killed her husband. Why? Well, because she knew that God loved them and she wanted to be God’s ambassador of his Good News for the Auca Indians in that jungle.
That book changed my life as a teenager, and even after my diving accident, her story kept inspiring me to not abandon my faith in Christ; to hold on, keep persevering. After I got out of the hospital, I hoped one day I might meet her, so I could tell her how much her life story had meant to me. Well, I got that chance years later when I was speaking at a conference. And I was thrilled to learn that she was speaking at it, too. When we met there, I was only 26 years old. I was seasoned by a decade of quadriplegia, but still, I was filled with awe to finally get the chance to meet a true saint of the age. As we talked, I fell in love with her matter-of-fact way of living by daily dying for Christ. It was her no-nonsense way of looking at things. Just pull-yourself-up by the grace of God, hoist your cross on your shoulder, and follow your Savior down the bloodstained path to Calvary. And don’t complain about it. Yep, that was her. And I could see that suffering had cut a deep gash in her heart; but it was through that gash that God was able to pour into her life so much grace and joy. I could tell she thought that suffering was worth it all; to know Jesus in a deep way was worth any amount of pain. And I recall that as we talked together at that conference, I kept hearing the Holy Spirit whisper to me, “Be like her. Just be like her, okay?”
Nowadays when I mention Elisabeth Elliot, not many know who she is. Many young people don’t recognize her. They live in an egalitarian culture where everyone’s story is extraordinary, whether it has the stamp of Christ or not. The leaders they look up to lack heroic qualities. Courage is rare. Good character, rarer. Moral purity feels out of date. And suffering should be mitigated at all costs. And if it can’t be avoided, it must be drugged, divorced, escaped from, or prayed away. And it’s why I am so glad there’s a brand-new biography available called “Becoming Elisabeth Elliot,” and it is the perfect read for this season. If you’re looking for a story that has meat on it, you know, a story that rises above the average, that soars and inspires, this is it. And I’m honored that I wrote the foreword. So, if you’re interested in a really good book, go to joniradio.org to get more details on the new biography of Elisabeth Elliot. Again, that’s joniradio.org. And maybe, just maybe, as you read this new book on her life, you will hear the Holy Spirit whisper to you, “Be like her.” Oh, and while you’re on my radio page, download the list of some other of my favorite books, all of which have helped shape my walk with Christ. You can find it all today at joniradio.org.
And one more thing – we here at Joni and Friends would love to pray for you in your troubles. So, share with us your prayer need today at joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends
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Joni’s Favorite Books
Joni has assembled a list of some of her favorite books – books that have especially shaped her walk with Christ, refreshed her heart, and strengthened her faith. Take a look and find your next great read!
