I recently discovered this article about Jim Elliot's younger brother, Bert. While the story of Jim Elliot's tragic murder is well known, I don't think there are many who have heard Bert Elliot's story. Bert and his wife Colleen served faithfully as missionaries for fifty six years. When asked about the similarities between he and his brother, Bert said, " Jim and I both served Christ, but differently. Jim was a great meteor, streaking through the sky.”
I love what Randy Alcorn had to say in response to Bert's description of his brother. "Unlike his brother Jim, the shooting star, Bert was a faint star that rose night after night, faithfully crossing the same path in the sky, to God’s glory."
While the world, and sometimes the Church, makes fame and drama desirable, God calls most of us to be faithful through anonymity. Some of us, like Jim, get to run a sprint. But most of us, like Bert, are called to run the marathon. Bert Elliot passed away in February of this year and I know he received more heavenly applause than the world could have ever given him. I think Bert would say living without recognition in this life was worth the eternal reward he received in the next.
Lord, though I'll never have a crowd to cheer me on to victory, let me remain willing to run long distances for the Gospel.
