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Current mood:  determined
I Loved this. I got the following qoute and excerpt from the book "The Signature of Jesus" by Brennan Manning. A bit wordy at times, but overall one of the best books I've poked through. I really loved the challenge this passage gives. Especially during this time of year,...how so many of us profess Christ's birth and His name as the "reason for the season", yet turn back to our own lives the very next day. We give weight to His birth, but do we give real weight to who He is now? It's easy to speak of our faith in Christ around Christmas, afterall, everyone else is too. But what about the other 364 days of the year? Do our actions, do our hearts, speak as loudly the rest of the year? When we're cut off in traffic do we react with a zeal of the love that has been professed over us by the King of Kings? Sure we can "talk the talk "on this day, but do we choose to really "walk the walk" the rest of the year? Even when it's hard? Even when we've been wronged?
The following quote and passage is very challenging. I don't always succeed at "walking the walk," I will be the first to admit that! It's hard! and it is impossible if I don't submit myself to Christ DAILY! Even submitting my self to Him in the morning (if I remember to do so) usually by lunchtime I have already given into selfishness and pride! Which is why His grace really is so Amazing! And WHY I love this so much! It is a challenge to what I should aim for, and it is a reminder I have the strength to overcome each and every challenge through Him! It is a reminder of Who I Am IN HIM, I am a daughter of the King! If this King of Kings was so ready to die for me, a mere mortal, then I should be more than ready to die for Him! But am I? How commited am I really? On a daily basis, am I ready to deny my own wishes (to DIE to myself and to MY choices) and choose His direction and His way instead?
Here is the passage:
"Recently I was given a copy of a note found written in the office of a young pastor in Zimbabwe, Africa following his martyrdom for his faith and Jesus Christ.I qoute his letter verbatim:
I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the 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 and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, wordly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotion, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by the faith, lean in His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer, and I labor with 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 giude reliable, my mission clear. I can not 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 enemy, pander 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 problem recognizing me...my banner will be clear!"
~Taken from the book "The Signature of Jesus" by Brennan Manning.
Father, help me to remember this. How others have given their lives unto death for Your name, and that the choice I have in giving up "my way" every day is such a small sacrifice in comparison. Give me strength. Keep me humble. Teach me to walk as someone worthy to wear her Father's name as her own, as someone you are proud to call your child, each and every day of the year. |
