in the shadow of the Almighty

i'm reading a book called Shadow of The Almighty by Elisabeth Elliot about the life of her husband Jim, a missionary and a martyr.

As i was reading today, a prayer of his jumped out at me. it is as follows:

'He makes His ministers flames of fire.' Am i ignitable? God deliver me from the dread asbestos of 'other things.' Saturate me with the oil of the Spirit that i may be aflame. But flame is transient, often short-lived. Canst thou bear this,my soul-short life? In me dwells the Spirit of the Great Short-Lived, whose zeal for God's house consumed Him. And He has promised baptism with the Spirit and with Fire. 'Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.'

Am i ignitable? What a great question! One i think we should all ask ourselves. We say that we are willing. We say to God, "Here i am. Send me." But then what? We just go to church every Sunday and Wednesday. We may even go to a small group or First Priority and FCA. But where else do we go? To Walmart. To the movies. To our friends house every Friday night.

i find that even when the Spirit pricks my heart to speak, when He shows me an opportunity, i just push it out of my mind, out of my reach, until the opportunity is gone. And sometimes, i just go about the rest of my day like it never happened. i'm not even upset that i skipped out on that opportunity, like it's no big deal.

i long to be bold at a moments notice. As i read through this book about a man with an attitude so like Christ's, i'm convicted. About myself and my last of fervor and passion for the hearts of those lost.

Lord, ignite me. Place a fire so bright within me that it cannot be quenched. Make me bold to speak without giving it a second thought. May i count my reputation or acceptance by others rubbish in comparison with Your great love for me. May my heart be always on You and Your glory and not on the things of this world, for they will perish. But You, O LORD, remain always. Amen.

Another of his prayers also struck me.

Father, let me be weak that i might lose my clutch on everything temporal. My life, my reputation, my possessions, Lord, let me loose tension of the grasping hand. Even, Father, would i lose the love of fondling. How often i have released a grasp only ti retain what i prized by 'harmless' longing, the fondling touch. Rather, open my hand to the nail of Calvary, as Christ's was opened-that i, releasing all, might be released, unleashed from all that binds me now. He thought Heaven, yea, equality with God, not a things to be clutched at. So let me release my grasp.

WOW!

Father God, make that the cry of my heart. What You have been busy doing in my heart as of late, i see with some clarity now. Making me weak. Making me lean on You, because that's where i belong. Thank You for making me weak that i may give up, truly release, what i've been so selfishly holding on to. 'Take from me my life when i don't have the strength to give it away to You, Jesus.' Amen.