Not For Ruby

"Three weeks ago we got word at our church that Ruby Eliason and Laura Edwards had both been killed in Cameroon. Ruby was over 80. Single all her life, a nurse; she poured her life out for one thing: To make Jesus Christ known among the sick, and the poor in the hardest and most unreached places. Laura was a widow, a medical doctor, pushing 80 years old, and serving at Ruby's side in Cameroon. The brakes give way, over a cliff they go, and they’re dead - instantly. And I asked my people: is this a tragedy? Two women in their 80’s, a whole life devoted to one idea, and twenty years after most of their American counterparts had begun to throw their lives away on trivialities in Florida and New Mexico… is this a tragedy, I asked? It is not a tragedy.
I’ll read you what a tragedy is. I’ve got a little article from readers digest. This is a tragedy. Title of the article, “Start now, retire early.” "Bob and Penny took early retirement from their jobs in the Northeast five years ago when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their 30 foot trawler, play softball and collect shells." THAT’S a tragedy. And there are people in this country that are spending billions of dollars to get you to buy it. And I get 40 minutes to plead with you, DON’T BUY THAT DREAM. The American Dream: a nice house, a nice car, a nice job, a nice family, a nice retirement, COLLECTING SHELLS…. as the last chapter before you stand before the Creator of universe to give an account with what you did. Here it is Lord! My shell collection! Look Lord, my shell collection! And I’ve got a good swing! And look at my boat, God…. .look at my boat. Well, not for Ruby."

This is a quote from John Piper's sermon at One Day, 2000 in Memphis. I wasn't at One Day, but I heard the sermon. Ruby became my hero after hearing it. "Not For Ruby" has become a life quote for me. Give in to the American Dream? Not For Ruby.

Dr. Magnuson is my Ethics teacher here at Southern. He started to tell a story about his Great Aunt Ruby. The more he told of the story, the more I became convinced that my hero, Ruby, was the same Ruby that he was talking about. So, I raised my hand and asked. Sure enough, it's the same Ruby.

I talked to Dr. Magnuson after class and told him that I love Ruby. Her story has given me a new perspective on life. I asked if I could sit and talk with him and his family about Ruby. I want to know more about her life, her philosophy, her theology. I want to know this hero on a personal level. Dr. Magnuson agreed to let me in on his Great Aunt Ruby's life.

I am SO EXCITED about this! A woman in her eighties who gave her entire life to the Lord and was a single missionary to the unreached people of this crazy world. Eighty years old and still going overseas!!

The American Dream has been seared into our minds. It has stolen our knowledge that true satisfaction is not found on earth. It has dangled a ploy before our eyes and we have greedily snatched up the illusion. This "dream" claims to be the treasure of life. So, was it a tragedy for a frail old woman to give her life to the Lord in missions? Was it a tragedy that she never married? Never retired on the beaches of Florida? Never experienced the American Dream?

Not For Ruby.