a chance to die!

I like writing, and I inevitably find that the hardest part about writing is coming up with a suitable title for the piece. Similarly, I like reading, and when I find a book with a suitable title, it makes my bird sing (more on that phrase some other time).

I've got a prime specimen of a title on my desk: A Chance to Die. As you can imagine, this book is deeper than its cover page. This book is particularly exciting to me. First, it's about Amy Carmichael. I love Amy Carmichael. Second, it's written by Elisabeth Elliot. I really love Elisabeth Elliot.

Here's a little sip, a mere soupçon of what's in this wonderful biography. Tell me this isn't more compelling than whatever is on TV tonight!

Amy rang the bell one morning to gather the servants for prayers. The cook's small boy, pointing to the bell, said, "It's a god."

I looked at the thing, it had a scratched face on the handle, and the face, he declared, was Ram's. I think the young scamp meant nothing more serious than a bit of mischief, but I knocked the bell handle off and pushed it into a fire which was burning near. He could never say that again! They all looked on, servants and coolies, and nobody said a word. Would a god let me do that? I asked them, and walked off, carrying the battered bell.

A Chance to Die. Do we see life as a chance to die, or as an opportunity to enjoy a comfortable road on our way to Heaven? There is exciting, God-glorifying stuff in the lives of those who came before us. Let's not waste our lives watching the exploits of God-hating reality stars.