This past week a very special woman at our church lost a battle but had the ultimate victory ~ her physical body could no longer fight the disease (the battle) but her soul could no longer wait to see her Savior face to face (sweet Victory!).  She went home . . . her eternal home.

Now, I was not super close with this woman but I know that she lived a life that brought much glory to God.  She kept that goal ~ God’s glory ~ to the very end.

It reminded me of a story I read years ago in a book by Neil Anderson.  I do not have the title of the book, but the credit for the following goes to him.  Circumstances are different but I believe, this wonderful wife, mother, grandmother felt the same way as this African pastor did in this story.

It inspires me to live this way . . . so that when the day comes that Jesus calls me home . . this can be said of me.

Lived for Christ . . . Died for Christ

An African pastor was overrun by rebels who demanded that he renounce his faith in Jesus Christ.  They would kill him if he didn’t . . . he didn’t.  When the authorities finally discovered him, he had passed away.  What they found was the following words written on a wall in his home.

This is what the African pastor left behind ~

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, or 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 by 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 give up, shut up, let up, or burn up till I’ve preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for 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.

How About YOU?

Can you say this?

Better yet . . . . do you WANT to say this?

This little Sheep gal . . . well, she wants to.  I know I can’t . . always.  But I want to.

And that’s a good place to start.