My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven… Brennan Manning , noted author, 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 in Jesus Christ.
To quote this 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, worldly talking, cheap 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 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
rough, my companions are 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 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, 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!
The Signature of Jesus, Brennan Manning, pp 31-32
