Everywhere I turn, this movie is coming at me. I’d never heard of it until Sally wrote a great review of it on her site, Children’s Publishing News. She actually wrote four different posts about it, and they’re all mega-full of links, so if you’re interested in this movie, go read about it on her site:
End of the Spear: Does Casting Matter?
I was so intrigued after I read her reviews — especially after she explained all the controversies and her views on them. Then yesterday, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law both told me I needed to go see End of the Spear. A few weeks ago, they rented the documentary Through Gates of Splendor and told me I’d like that one too.
THEN my mom gave me the book yesterday for my birthday — and I said, “OKAY! This is more than coincidence! I think I’m supposed to go see this movie!”
All of you know how much I love Elisabeth Elliot — she’s even in my Blogroll over there! (Which I hope is not disrespectful — those are the main sites I enjoy visiting on a regular basis.) I read her book, Through Gates of Splendor when I was in college, along with Passion and Purity, Let Me Be a Woman, and several others. I also got to meet her in person when I was 22 and tell her how much her books changed my life. Jim Elliot is one of my heroes, and I often think of his famous quote: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
I’ve always loved Twila Paris’ song, Hold On, which is about Jim Elliot. If you haven’t heard this song, it’s really beautiful. Here are the words:
Heir to advantage, He had every chance to succeed
But light from the cross made his dreams appear small
And to their surprise he went far–from it all
For the love of his Savior, for one priceless jewel
They could not understand so they called him a fool
Chorus
He is no fool
If he would choose
To give the thing he cannot keep
To buy what he can never lose
To see a treasure in one soul
That far outshines the brightest gold
He is no fool, He is no fool
He is no fool, He is no fool
There once was a boy who could run like the wind
Given to lead, every man was his friend at the line
But light from the cross made his race appear small
And to their amazement, he followed the call
For the love of his Savior, for one priceless jewel
They could not understand so they called him a fool
Repeat Chorus
Show me the fool who abandons his life
To walk in the steps of our Lord Jesus Christ
Repeat Chorus
So, I’m going to see this movie! Let me get a ticket — and I’m going!
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