To hold onto something with a desperate grip is not the way to die. Death is a painful process, and restoratives offered to the dying wretch bound to his wheel only prolong his agony. There are times when the thing to do is simply to die. I am thinking, of course, of dying to the self. We clutch so tenaciously to our rights, hopes, ambitions, something to which God has perhaps said a plain no. If would-be comforters offer us consolation and sympathy, if they assist us to strengthen our grasp when it should be loosened, they do not love us as God loves us. The way into life is death, and if we refuse it we are refusing Him who showed us that way and no other. The love which is strong as death is not only willing to save the beloved, it is willing to seem, if necessary, pitiless, insensitive, unloving, if that is what will help the beloved to die--that is, to be released from the bondage of self, which is death, and thus enter the gateway of life. Archbishop Fenelon wrote to the countess of Montberon, "You want to die, but to die without any pain.... You must give all or nothing when God asks it. If you have not the courage to give at least let Him take." Just ordered a book by E. Elliot, and ran across this devotion.
Elisabeth Elliot's Daily Devotional
1 year ago
5 comments:
Wow -
The way into life is death, and if we refuse it we are refusing Him who showed us that way and no other.
Thanks for posting. B
That is awesome. There are so many times when I want to hold on something instead of die to self. It is so much easier it seems to hold on tightly.
I've never heard of her but will be looking her up.
I love Elizabeth Elliott. She is one person who I would like to meet.
Cathy
Hey Lynn,
This is Chuck Wall. I stumbled across your blog. You and Ken are on Denise's and my hearts and are in our prayers.
I have appreciated Elisabeth Elliot through the years. Here are some of my favorite quotes:
"Nothing touches me that does not come through the hedge of God's will. He's in charge. We don't flounder around in a sea of pure chance."
"God already knows every single thing that every minute of every hour of every day of every week of every month of this year will hold for you."
"Jesus learned obedience by the things which He suffered, not by the things He enjoyed. In order to fit you for His purposes both here and in eternity, He has lent you this sorrow. But He bears the heavier end of the Cross laid upon you."
"If you are in the hands of Him who is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent, there are no legitimate reasons to worry."
Chuck
Hey Chuck and Denise, GREAT to hear from you. I wish I knew how to get in touch with you. I googled, but no luck. My email address is omnibuscross@yahoo.com. In Christ, Lynn
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