PASSIONATE ABOUT WHO I AM

PASSIONATE ABOUT WHO I AM

Listening to the news last night before going to bed, I was interested to hear that many in the world consider today to be a significant day in history. Many see today as the day when the President of Iran will need to prove if he has the metal to be the world leader that he professes to be. Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad really believes that he is the one who will usher in the end times and is very passionate about who he is. Many fear that today is the day that he will attempt to follow through on his commitment to wipe Israel off the map.
One thing is certain about this Iranian President who needs Christ -- he is passionate about what he believes. He is willing to do whatever it takes to be what Allah wants him to be and do. As I reflected on that last night, I was reminded of this reading, and was surprised to see it today in one of my devotionals.
Dr. Neil Anderson writes in his devotional DAILY IN CHRIST: "An African pastor was overwhelmed by rebels who demanded that he renounce his faith. He refused. The night before they took his life, he wrote the following lines on a scrap of paper:

I am part of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed." I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I've stepped over the line. The decision has been made.
I am a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away and be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.
I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and
Dwarfed goals!

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by presence, lean faith, love 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 is rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, 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 won't shut up, let up, burn up till I've preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed 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.
And when He comes to get His own, He'll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear!"

Would that we had that passion for Christ. Good words to ponder today on this August 22, 2006.