An Ultimate Commitment

What do John Wycliff, John Huss, William Tyndale, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Jim Elliot, Graham Staines, Polycarp, and Stephen of the 1st century, all have in common? They are given the title of martyr and they are testaments of living and dying for their strong allegiance to Jesus Christ. It can be firmly said that these men, along with hundreds of thousands of men and women throughout history, were commited to a cause. Their memories cannot be erased or overlooked because their deaths are a matter of historical record.

“How can commitment be defined? Commitment can be defined as the decision to do what needs to be done, whatever the cost _ a definition that characterizes countless heroes throughout history.”  (Steven P. Vitrano)

The following letter was written as an example of the ultimate commitment of a young African pastor who gave his life for his faith in Jesus Christ.

My Christian Commitment

I’m a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast.

I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made.

I’m a disciple of His and 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 done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, famed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded.

I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power. My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven.

My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my guide is reliable and my mission is clear.

I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the fact of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary.

I will not 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, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes.

And when He does come for His own, He’ll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear!

(Source of young pastor’s statement: http://messageministries.com )