Sunday Meditation 2

Ode to Jim Elliot et al . . .

He was no hero. He died a young man. Killed near the water, his blood stained the sand. He preached the Gospel, did what he thought best. Someday I’d like to be like that man.

Peter was a fisher-man. He walked on the water. He started sinkin’ — his faith it was too small. But if he’d-a trusted Jesus, he’d-a danced on the water, singin’ and praisin’ with Jesus by his side.

Philip was a-preachin’ when the Spirit moved him up to a chariot rollin’ in the sand. It was an Ethiopian, readin’ from Isaiah. Philip, he told him, about the Son of Man.

Saul was a Pharisee, persecutin’ Christians, headin’ for Damascus, when he took a fall. It was the risen Jesus, changin’ his direction — then the Holy Spirit changed his name to Paul.

He was no hero. He died a young man. Killed near the water, his blood stained the sand. He preached the Gospel, did what he thought best. Someday I’d like to be like that man.

Jim Elliot was one of five Christian missionaries killed while participating in Operation Auca, an attempt to evangelize the Huaorani people of Ecuador.