The Fellowship Committed to Doing Whatever it Takes
In the Minister’s Conference worship service on Thursday night, evangelist Dan Hughes preached a great message. His text was 2 Timothy 3:1. He also read portions of Ezekial 22 and Romans 12, as well as other scripture. The theme of the Conference was “The Pursuit of Excellence,” and Rev. Hughes’ sermon set the tone for the remainder of the Minister’s Conference.
To illustrate what it takes to really pursue excellence, he used the inspiring article, “The Fellowship Committed to Doing Whatever it Takes.” After the worship service, I asked him for a copy of it. I have since found this, or variations of it, on about a dozen or so websites. (I went to Google and used part of the title as the search term.) I was trying to find out who the missionary was, but the best I could find was that the unnamed missionary was in western Africa for 20 years. Most of the websites that posted this article or portions of it used the attribution “author unknown.”
Here it is:
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Upon the death of a missionary who had spent 20 years in Africa digging out a work for God, tacked on the wall of his mud hut was this note:
I’m a part of the fellowship committed to doing whatever it takes. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has already been cast. I’ve stepped over the line. I’m out of the comfort zone. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, or back away. My past is Redeemed, my present makes sense and my future is Secure.
I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarf goals. I’m a part of the fellowship committed to doing whatever it takes.
I no longer need pre-eminence.
I no longer need position.
I no longer need promotions.
I no longer need popularity.
I don’t have to be Right!
I don’t have to be First!
I don’t have to be Tops!
I don’t have to be Recognized, Praised, Regarded, or Rewarded.
I’m a part of the fellowship committed to doing whatever it takes. I now live by presence. I lead by faith. I love by patience. I lift by prayer. I labor by power. I’m a part of the fellowship committed to doing whatever it takes. My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road is narrow. My way is rough. My companions are few, but my guide is reliable. My mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, or lured away.
I cannot be turned back or diluted. I will not be delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, or hesitate in the face of the adversary, or negotiate at the table of my enemies. I will not ponder at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze called mediocrity. I won’t give up, shut up, let up, or burn up until I’ve preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of the Jesus Christ. I’m a part of the fellowship committed to doing whatever it takes.
I’m a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until He comes. I must give until I drop. I must preach until all know. I must work until God stops and when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me, because I’ve dedicated my life to being a part of the fellowship committed to doing whatever it takes.
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Pastor Marv
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Date: Monday, September 7, 2009
Categories: Faith and Practice, Southwest Indian Ministry
