"Fellowship of the Unashamed"

" I am part of the Fellowship of the Unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down,back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, slight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams,chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position,promotions, plaudits, or popularity.

I now live by presence, lean by faith, love by patience,lift by prayer, and labor by power. My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, myroad is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until Heaven returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me.

My colors will be clear."

I can't be sure, but I read that the above was written a by an African pastor shortly before he was martyred, or newly ordained. I don't know which. Perhaps it was neither, or perhaps both. I found this and had to post this as I feel I can relate. Enough said.

I like the line, "I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity." There is an aspect of strong faith that must be present in order for us to excercize this. This reminds me of Jesus in the boat with His disciples.

Matthew 8: 23-26

Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him.

Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.

The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"

He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?"

Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

I Will Rise to Meet You

I had an experience earlier this afternoon that causes me to reflect once again on the amazing love and majesty of God. I was in a store picking up things I needed, and this image and statement came to me in a flash within my heart and mind: Jesus was sitting on a throne, and as He stood up and looked toward me He said, “I will rise to meet you.”

I was a bit surprised as I was not expecting this at all. But, behind the normal routine of life I feel I have been lead into the desert so that He may speak to me more clearly. While life moves forward and there are good things happening, I feel as well that I am being stripped of all needless baggage and being led to a lonely place for a time.

It seems to me that a process that was started earlier this autumn is continuing with more intensity and increased speed. Many situations have converged at once to clear the path ahead I believe. It is true that while there is a part of me that would like for things to continue on as they are, I know they simply cannot. It is also true that I have held on to certain things far too long.

While Jesus walked in the flesh, He was very present and aware of everyday existence. At the same time, He was intensely focused on accomplishing His eternal mission. He had strong words in regard to those who desired to follow Him:

To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” But he said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God. (Luke 9: 59-62)

In the process of letting go of all that besets us as we walk toward God, He meets us half way and comes toward us with passionate, loving expectancy. He is not content to simply sit and wait for us in such a nonchalant manner as if He had better things to do.

His invitation costs us nothing less than everything, but in return we gain the fullness of relationship with Him who is the author of all creation and a God who is absolute perfection in love, for now, and all of eternity.

Amen.