My Commitment as a Christian

When I was in college, I used to keep a copy of the following quotation near my alarm clock. That way, every time that I scrambled to get out of bed and stop the incessant ringing, I would be forced to read these words. It reminded me why I was here, and it motivated me to keep pressing forward.

Rumor has it that this was written by a young African pastor on the night before he was martyred for the faith.  This week has been a trying one for me, but the Lord succeeded in doing things that only He could do. For that, I give Him all the praise and glory. I pray that my faithfulness to the Lord, in good times and in bad, may be as uncompromising as my African brother’s. I haven’t read this in a long time – and now, more than ten years later, I think that the time has come to print this message, to place it by my alarm clock, and to renew my commitment to Christ once more.

“I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power; my die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of Jesus. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my Guide is reliable, and my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, preached up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me – my banner will be clear.”