Devotedly

Title: Devotedly
Author: Valerie Elliot Shepard
Major Themes: Dating, Love Stories, Purity
Synopsis: Jim and Elisabeth Elliot’s love story, taken from their letters and journals, and compiled by their daughter Valerie.

Several months ago, when I was buying some audiobooks to use up credit, I came across Devotedly and remembered that a good friend, Sarah Holman, had recommended it several times over the years. Since I rarely buy a book outright—preferring to get it for free or borrow it—I’d never considered her recommendation very long. But this time, I decided to get it. And oh—what a great book it turned out to be! Devotedly blessed me in ways I did not at all anticipate, and I’m grateful I listened to Sarah and got it—this is one I want in print on my shelf now!

Most people know of Jim and Elisabeth Elliot and their story, how they were married only a few short years before Jim was killed, and how Elisabeth carried on after his death to minister to the ones who killed him. But what I wasn’t aware of—at least until I read Becoming Elisabeth Elliot—was just how long Jim and Elisabeth dated before they finally got engaged and married. This book fleshed that part out even more; their love story is the central theme of this book. Taken from their letters and copious amounts of journal entries, this book gives a striking image of two young people who loved each other dearly—but loved their Lord even more, and always chose to put Him and His will first, even when it broke their hearts to do so.

One thing I particularly loved about this book was getting to know Jim and Elisabeth’s daughter, Valerie, a little. As she narrates her parent’s story, it was fun to see bits from her life coming through. Though she doesn’t remember her father, her love and respect for him (and honest evaluation of his mistakes, when that became necessary) shone through these pages. She didn’t present her parents as heroes—no; they were just normal people who had an abnormal God and an intense desire to serve Him above all else. Valerie shares how they met a good five or six years before they married, and how, over the intervening years, they had many moments of closeness—and many, many more where they were separated geographically and relationally as they each searched for God’s will for their lives. As she states in the beginning, this book was written in an attempt to encourage today’s youth to pursue the Lord. To let Him write their stories, committing all to Him even when heart and flesh desire something completely different. It was wonderful to see her heart for the message shine through these pages. 

Devotedly is more than just one couple’s love story. Yes, it’s about Jim and Elisabeth’s devotion to each other, but it’s more about their devotion to Christ. Over and over, despite intense longing for the other person, both Jim and Elisabeth laid it on the altar. “Not I, but Christ.” Seeing their commitment showed me just how far I have to go in pursuing Christ myself—and made me want to seek Him more. It also encouraged me to wait, and, as Rudyard Kipling puts it, “not be tired by waiting.” Through these pages, I saw that God does have a plan for our lives, and waiting for His timing of said plans is always, always, always best.

I would recommend this book to every Christian who longs to draw closer to the Lord. And I would recommend it to all singles, especially those of you (of us 🙂 ) who sometimes struggle with that “single” label. This book was a breath of fresh air to me, and I’m looking forward to sharing it with others. Devotedly is a keeper!

WARNING: The introduction mentions statistics of how many young adults often sleep together on their first date. There are a few references to Jim desiring Elisabeth, but none that were detailed enough that I took notes of the location (that I can find, anyway!), and I remember a mention of him pretending to fall asleep with his head in her lap at one point.