Interesting story about this journal entry by a young African pastor before he was martyred: During the Fall of 2010, my wife was part of a Beth Moore bible study offered by our church, Vineyard Christian Church. After one meeting she brought home this note:
I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. 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 with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, 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, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission 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, paid 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 problems recognizing me - my banner will be clear!
The other day, while finishing my thesis paper, I took a break to read over the note that I hadn't read last fall. It spoke to me more last night than when I initially read it. It speaks volumes to devotion of others to Christ and His mission. It makes me want to devote my life even more to Christ and live by His command. Just last night I had a dream. Wow, big whoop, right? Ask my wife - I rarely remember dreams, so it is a big deal! I did remember this one though. I was either part of or looking into a group of people reciting this note. Not sure if it was more of a flash forward or a just my mind remember the note I read. I guess I'll find out someday.
On another note, Adam Young from Owl City, has many lyrics that make me believe he is a Christian. Take, for example the lyrics of his song Galaxies, off the album All Things Bright and Beautiful.
Dear God, I was terribly lost
When the galaxies crossed
And the sun went dark.
But dear God, You're the only North Star
I would follow this far.
Is Adam Young part of the fellowship of the unashamed? Are you?
On a closing note, this verse often haunts me and goes along quite well with my theme today of devotion to Our Father:
Luke 9:23 (NIV)
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.