Devo 17
2/28/00
Recently I've been having so many ideas go through my mind on what to write, it's been hard to decided what today's topic will be. This is actually good, it tells me that I've been having some good times with God where I'm learning good things. Today, I've chosen to relate a couple of true stories and then wrap it up with an illustration from a third true story from the Bible.
"Why...?"
About 4o years ago (I can't remember the exact date), in the jungles of Ecuador, God brought together five missionary men and gave them all the calling to a particular native tribe: the Aucas. Nate Saint, Roger Youdarian, Ed McCully, Pete Flemming, and Jim Elliot had known of the Aucas for quite some time, in fact they were a factor in some of these men's decision to go into missions work. The reports of the Aucas were not good; an unusually savage tribe, they were the type who would throw spears first, ask questions later. The neighboring tribes were terrified of them and kept a good distance from their territory. What made matters worse is that bad experiences with rubber and oil miners in the past gave the Aucas a strong dislike for the white man.
While these five men and their wives had other duties with other tribes, the calling to the Aucas became more pressing. When Nate was able to locate some small Auca habitations from his plane, God's leading seemed clear. Soon the five were brought together and they began Operation Auca. Realizing that centuries of hatred would likely not be overcome easily, they began their operation secretly. This was mostly to prevent word from spreading among the natives with which they worked. If these natives were to find out of this operation, the news would spread remarkably fast and soon the missionaries would have innumerable obstacles to face from concerned Indians before they would even be able to contact the Aucas. The plan was fairly straightforward; they would start by air-dropping gifts to the Aucas at the various houses along the river. They did several things to distinguish themselves as friends; dropping useful gifts such as machetes, clothing, buttons, always with long ribbons fluttering behind; calling out phrases in Auca showing their friendly intent; they even made large photographs of each of them so the Aucas would be able to match a face with the gift-givers when the time for personal contact should come.
The initial results were more than could be expected. Despite some occasional indifference, and even fear at the low-swooping airplane, the Aucas generally greeted the weekly airdrop with enthusiasm. On return visits, Aucas were often seen waving their new machetes or wearing a shirt brought to them (they are traditionally unclothed). After several weeks of this, the five felt God's leading definite enough that they felt the time was right to establish an airstrip in Auca territory. Finding a suitable area adjacent to the river, the missionaries planned out all the details of establishing their camp. Of course, every precaution would be taken, they had not forgotten about the terrible reputation of the Aucas. But more pressing in their minds was that here was a people who had never heard of Jesus, and this consideration made the risk worth it.
Finally, with the timing worked down to the minutes, they established themselves on their little airstrip and began work on a tree house which would presumably keep them safe from jungle animals as well as Auca spears. It was a couple days before any Aucas stepped forward into the clearing, though the missionaries were sure they had been watched from the start. Finally, a delegation of three, a man and two women, made themselves know to the white men. The initial contact was a success, and the male seemed enthralled with the new visitors, and was even allowed a ride in the airplane. After this first contact, it became another couple of days before any Aucas were seen. The five had decided that it was time to go pay a visit to the nearest Auca hut should another day pass with no contact. And then, while flying back to the airstrip, Nate Saint looked out of his plane and saw a number of Auca men seemingly heading for the beach. The welcome party had arrived. Radioing the good news to his wife and the other wives, he promised to update them in an hour.
The hour passed, and then another, and then many more. A rescue team was quickly formed, the US Army and Navy were notified, and before long an all out search for the five men was on. It wasn't long before the wives' worst fears were confirmed; Nate Saint, Roger Youdarian, Ed McCully, Pete Flemming, and Jim Elliot had all been speared to death.
Why...?
Second story.
I don't feel free to give any names here, but this is a true story as well. There was a man who lived his life as a man of God. I'm not sure if was a minister as well, but I do know that two of his sons did become pastors, and they both care for their father deeply. And then Alzheimer's struck. Through the course of this disease, the man has now turned bitterly violent, often striking out, or biting at nurses. Consequently he has been shifted around between homes, some refusing to treat him because of his violent nature. His periods of lucidity became less and less frequent as well. And now, this former man of God who brought up two sons (at least) to walk in His ways seems to have been lost behind the cloud of Alzheimer's and replaced with an incorrigible old man.
Why...?
Last Story...from the Bible.
There was a man who was the richest in all the land. He had several sons and daughters, and several thousands numbering his flocks. Every day he would pray for his children, offering sacrifices for them on the chance that one of them had sinned and not repented. And then disaster struck; literally all his worldly possessions were taken away from him in an instant, and not long afterwards, he began experiencing painful boils all over his body.
Why...?
The answer is not easy, nor do I pretend to understand it. Why did five missionaries who were confident of God's leading suddenly die before they had a chance to witness to these natives? Why does a man of God suddenly have his mental capacities stripped away from him? Why does a righteous and wealthy man suddenly lose all that he has? Life is plagued with these seeming inconsistencies in God's working of the universe. It seems that just as we have life figured out, God throws a curve ball at us. The book of James has some unusual advice for these situations, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4)
The wives of the missionaries understood this. Three years after the murder of her husband, Elisabeth Elliot was sitting among the Aucas watching their faces light up as they receive the life changing words of Jesus. The other wives also went on in mission work, all of them remarrying and remaining instrumental in the service of God.
Job understood this. Despite having all his friends desert him, and being told to 'curse God and die," Job stood his ground. In the end he fortunes were restored in greater abundance than before with more sons and daughters and flocks beyond counting.
The story of the man with Alzheimer's is still being written. But rather than sitting in dread, bemoaning the fate of a man of God, we should be on the edge of our seats waiting to see what God will do through this. Just like the master craftsman who can take pieces of wood out of the scrap pile and create beautiful gifts, so God can take the ruins of our lives and create out of them something more beautiful than could previously be imagined. So much so, that I don't believe anyone looking back at their trial would wish it any other way. The important thing is to keep God in the center. And should you be one of those who are called to give their life in God's service, keep in mind that it is not for our glory that we live, but for God's.
PS A much more complete and detailed account of Operation Auca and the events leading up to it are described in the book 'Through Gates of Splendor' by Elisabeth Elliot, the wife of missionary Jim Elliot. I highly recommend it to everyone.