Getting Even

Has someone ever did you wrong? I am going to assume that the answer to that is Yes. So then, has your reaction even been, that you were going to get even, that they were going to pay, that they would get theirs?

I think that very reaction is why we are faced with alot of our crimes and alot of the wars going on, a sense of revenge. One of the most awe inspiring stories of humanity showing grace to someone took place about 54 years ago. In 1955/56 there was a group of young Missionaries that set our to reach a group of people called the Huaorani in Ecuador. The Huaorani were known for their anger and brutality, especially towards outsiders. However over a period of months 5 young men from the United States (Nate Saint, Roger Youderian, Jim Elliot, Ed McCully, and Peter Fleming) would develop a method to get little gifts to this tribe, by lowering a bucket from a plane a circling overhead while the tribes people took out the gifts. After a little while, the tribe began to put little items back in. Satisfied with the development, the men set out to meet the tribe face to face. They met with the tribe and were initially encouraged. However things turned sour and the men were murdered on January 8, 1956.

Their families could have looked for revenge, but instead, they offered forgiveness. And a few of the wives would work with the people who killed their husbands. They helped better their lives and show them the forgiveness that Christ had offered them. For more information on this story I encourage you to see the documentary called “Beyond the Gates of Splendor” or read the book “Through the Gates of Splendor”. But this I warn you, it is a story of forgiveness and grace, and not one of revenge. It is a story of people offering HOPE.

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. ” (Jim Elliott)