Jim Elliot, a missionary to Mexico and Ecuador, attended Wheaton College and became a wrestler in his first year. He knew the discipline he would learn from this sport would help him with his calling to bring the gospel to the unreached. As a young man, he and four other Americans became missionaries to a jungle tribe in Ecuador known as the Aucas, an isolated tribe known for their violence. While preparing for the mission field at Wheaton College, he wrote in his journal, “Father, make of me a crisis man. Bring those I contact to decision. Let me not be a milepost on a single road. Make me a fork that people may turn one way or another on facing Christ in me.” Elliot and his companions were attacked and speared to death by 10 Auca warriors. The death of Elliot and his friends impacted a generation of Christians. They demonstrated a brave commitment to make a difference for the glory of God. He is most famously quoted for his courage, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

1 Kings 16-17 – Divine Preparation

Courage comes to mind when we think about the prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 17. Under King Ahab’s rule in Chapter 16, the sins of previous kings were minor compared to Ahab’s transgressions. He led the people of Israel down an evil path that provoked God’s anger. God sent his prophet Elijah to declare the truth and call for the people to repent from their sins. 

God not only worked through Elijah; He worked in him to prepare him for the next task. Elijah emerged from nowhere to confront Ahab with the word of the Lord. Then, he spent the next three years out of the public eye as he prepared for the great battle on Mount Carmel in Chapter 18. His spiritual courage was sustained by his training, which helped him know God better and trust Him more.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete have the spiritual courage to fight for the glory of God and will stand alone, if needed, against the false worldviews of their generation.

Bible Memory Verse – “And Yahweh said to him (Elijah), “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus, and you will arrive and anoint Hazael king over Aram; and Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint king over Israel; and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place.” 1 Kings 19:15-16 (LSB)