To live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord
At the beginning of his second year in law school at Marquette University Ed McCully took a job as hotel clerk at night, intending to spend the time studying. But God, who ordains men of His own
At the beginning of his second year in law school at Marquette University Ed McCully took a job as hotel clerk at night, intending to spend the time studying. But God, who ordains men of His own choosing and moves in them to the accomplishment of His eternal purposes, had other plans. Ed told his Wheaton classmate Jim about it in a letter dated September 22, 1950:
“Since taking this job things have happened. I’ve been spending my free time studying the Word. Each night the Lord seemed to get hold of me a little more. Night before last I was reading in Nehemiah. I finished the book and read it through again. Here was a man who left everything as far as position was concerned to go do a job nobody else could handle. And because he went the whole remnant back in Jerusalem got right with the Lord. Obstacles and hindrances fell away and a great work was done. Jim, I couldn’t get away from it. The Lord was dealing with me. On the way home yesterday morning I took a long walk and came to a decision which I know is of the Lord. In all honesty before the Lord I say that no one or nothing beyond Himself and the Word has any bearing upon what I’ve decided to do. I have one desire now—to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all my energy and strength into it. Maybe He’ll send me someplace where the name of Jesus Christ is unknown. Jim, I’m taking the Lord at His word, and I’m trusting Him to prove His Word. It’s kind of like putting all your eggs in one basket, but we’ve already put our trust in Him for salvation, so why not do it as far as our life is concerned? If there’s nothing to this business of eternal life we might as well lose everything in one crack and throw our present life away with our life hereafter. But if there is something to it, then everything else the Lord says must hold true likewise. Pray for me, Jim.1
Lessons from Ed McCully
Get into the Word of God and listen to the Holy Spirit. God will direct you. God will change you. You will live with conviction that others can’t understand unless they are also living the same life. The Word of God is alive, and powerful, understands your thoughts and intentions, and will change you.
When you are willing to lose your life, live in reckless abandon you will find your true purpose. You are not an accident. God made you for a special purpose. So give up your petty dreams, surrender to the Lord, and allow Him to do great and mighty things in your life.
The Lord Jesus has called us all to leave everything and follow Him. We were created by Him and for Him. Life is not about doing what pleases me but Him. As I please God I will find true pleasure in my life.
Trusting God means putting all your eggs in one basket. It means committing your way to the Lord and letting Him do with you as He will. How can you waste your life living below His wonderful plan for you?
God uses regular people like you. Ordinary people accomplish great things that only God gets the glory for. So put it all in His hands. Let Him do with you what He wants. You will see that He knows far better how to bless and use you. Life will find His extraordinary purpose.
Quotes by Ed McCully
Ed McCully, one of the five missionaries killed while trying to bring the gospel to the Auca people in Ecuador, did not have many publicized quotes. However, there are a few quotes attributed to him:
1. "Lord, I'll trust You. I won't back off. I'll hold steady, and believe You to save all."
2. "On the journey of life, we have two options - to live by sight or live by faith."
3. "I have one desire now--to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all my energy and strength into it."
4. "Yes, it's kind of like putting all your eggs in one basket, but we've already put our trust in Him for salvation, so why not do it as far as our life is concerned?"
Ed McCully showed faith, commitment to living for the Lord, and willingness to trust in God's plans even in the face of danger.
Elisabeth Elliot, Through Gates of Splendor (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale Momentum, 2015).
Latest Episode of the World Evangelism Podcast
William Carey and Bangladesh. Great story, great life challenging truths. Listen now.
