It's worth it.

This has been one of my summer reads. For those of you who don't know, it's a true story about a group of 5 missionaries who were savagely killed by a people group in Ecuador that they were attempting to establish contact with. It was written back in '57 by Elisabeth Elliot, a wife of one of these young men who were killed. Through various christian groups, I had heard this story before. Read this account was a completely new experience. 

Elisabeth shared bits of journal entries by the men.It was incredible. Their hearts were completely sold out for God and were willing to spread His love, no matter the cost. Years were spent studying and preparing to venture out and reach a group that no one else had dared, because the risk of death was was so. Months were spent flying over them  in a small yellow airplane, trying to build a friendship. 

Halfway through the book, it's almost like I forgot who they were. I forgot the movies I'd seen and the snippets of books I had read. I forgot the ending. When I began reading the second to last chapter, when they got in the plane and were ready to get out and meet the Aucas..it hit me. I remembered. I remembered the ending.  Those precious lives who died at the hands of the people they were trying to love.

Through out the rest of the book, I cried harder than I ever have over a book. Not just a couple little tears. Borderline sobbing. I was wrecked. 

They knew the cost of following God. They not only knew it, but embraced it and lived in out more fully than most do. They were ready to give up their lives so others could live for eternity. Left behind were young families. Wives, who were grieving but rested in God in a way I can't imagine. Babies. A 3 year old who knew Daddy was in Heaven, but wished he could come down for a little bit so he could play with him. 

I can only compare what happened to these families with Job from the Bible. Complete and utter pain and loss that was followed by restoration and healing from God. It was a great lesson to me how it's worth it. Living for God is worth it. Dying for Him is worth it.