My Banner Will Be Clear

Each year the university where I teach gives students the opportunity to go on missions trips in the US and all over the world--from Tanzania to Thailand to Illinois to Guatemala. This year, over 20 mission teams will be sent out. These are invaluable experiences for our students to learn to serve and share their faith. One comment I hear often upon their return is how much passion and commitment they see in Christians all over the world. Sadly in the US, we have much to distract us from our calling and purpose in Christ.

I do not want to be distracted, but committed passionately to Him. As the song goes, "I want a true and holy passion . . . I want to know and follow hard after Him!"

Below is something many of you might have read before. It is a challenging reminder to pursue Him passionately - may "our banner be clear" when He returns!

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 and done 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!

(Written by a young African pastor and tacked on the wall of his house.)

Blessings!