Book Review: Shadow of the Almighty

“God, I pray Thee, light these idle sticks of my life and may I burn for Thee. Consume my life, my God, for it is Thine. I seek not a long life, but a full one, like you, Lord Jesus.” So wrote Jim Elliot in his journal in 1948. After his death at the hands of the Waodani natives of Ecuador, Jim’s wife Elisabeth compiled many of his letters and journal entries into a book called “Shadow of the Almighty: the Life and Testament of Jim Elliot.”

I received this book as a birthday gift and read through it this summer. It’s been one of the most spiritually challenging and encouraging books I’ve read recently. Shadow of the Almighty is an intimate look into the life of Jim Elliot. The book takes you through his childhood and youth, college years at Wheaton, years of stateside service, and finally, his shortened ministry in Ecuador. I have long known the story of Jim and his four friends who died at Palm Beach by the hands of those whom they were seeking to win for Christ. This is the story of how God worked in Jim’s life leading up to that day.

You’ll be encouraged as you realize that Jim was an ordinary man with an extraordinary commitment to Jesus Christ. Just like any of us, he struggled and spent periods of time in uncertainty as to God’s will and leading. But what a blessing to read about the rich fellowship he enjoyed with the Lord–fellowship that any believer can have if we will only choose to put Christ first and seek His will above all. I believe that this book will challenge you, as it did me, to draw nearer to the Savior, to desire His will, and to trust Him to write your life’s story. If you’re looking for a feel-good story about comfortable Christianity, this isn’t the book to read. But if you are looking for a story that illustrates Biblical discipleship, you’ll be blessed by reading Shadow of the Almighty.