My Favorite Quote From Jim Elliot
“Father, make of me a crisis man. Bring those I contact to decision. Let me not be a milepost on a single road; make me a fork, that men must turn one way or another on facing Christ in me.”[1]
Ever since I read Jim Elliot’s journal as a young college student and discovered this quote I have sought to make one of my central life ministries what I call (at least inside of my own head) my “fork in the road” ministry. In other words, I am always on the lookout to have one-on-one conversations with people that encourage, stir, challenge, convict, or strengthen them. I am intentionally seeking to have conversations that either lead people into relationship with Christ or spur them to live life with him more faithfully.
Are you seeking to be a “fork in the road” for others?
[1] The Journals of Jim Elliot, ed. Elisabeth Elliot (Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1978), 83.
Comments
Bob neill Jun. 6, 2012 at 4:24 PM
What a fresh perspective for us as Jesus-followers who desire to point others to Christ daily. When Jim Elliot speaks, God uses his words in such powerful ways. I'm personally tired of the many words that are used to describe the walk of the believer in Christ today. They are shallow, without sacrifice, and they don't identify with the sufferings of Christ. Thank you Lord for the committed life of Jim Elliot--may his life and ministry continue to live on in the hearts and minds of committed Jesus-followers!
Robert Lloyd Russell Jun. 7, 2012 at 7:03 AM
My favorite Jim Elliot quote is:
"Forgive me for being so ordinary while claiming to know such an extraordinary God."
~ Blessings to you and your ministry
Blogger Bob, Abundant Life Now blog
P.S. I was privileged to have Jim Elliot as a Sunday School teacher.
Ken Berding Jun. 7, 2012 at 11:05 AM
Blogger Bob,
That's a great quote! Did Jim write it down somewhere, or did you hear him say it? And where was he your Sunday School teacher? Portland? Thanks for posting.
Mark Davison Jul. 20, 2012 at 12:39 PM
Thank you for sharing this quote and your thoughts. Also thank you for the tacit book recommendation. How blessed it would be to consistently be a fork.