relevant

the zimbabwe covenant

i am 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 am a disciple of His.  i will not look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still. 

my past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure.  i am finished and done with low living, sight-walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfted goals. 

i no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotion, or popularity.  i do not have to be right, first, tops, recognized, regarded or rewarded.  i now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor by power. 

my face is set, my gate is fast, my goal is Heaven.  my road is narrow, my way is rough, my Guide reliable, my mission clear.  i cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed.  i will not give up, shut up, or let go.  i will go on until He comes, and work until He stops me. 

i am a disciple of Jesus.

-author unknown

one of my dear, treasured friends/mentor gave this to me the other day.  oh how this sums up where i am at!  people frequently look at us and wonder why or how our lot can carry so much suffering.  i know this may sound weird, but i almost feel honored for our suffering.  romans 5:3 says "not only that, but we rejoice in our suffering, knowing that suffering produces endurance," and "if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him," (romans 8:17).  if only He could allow our hearts to be soft, pliable and broken enough for this to produce sanctification into His image.  "for he will complete what he appoints for me, and many such things are in his mind," (job 23:14). 

in contrast, i can only be reminded of how easy our life really is.  we haven't even touched true suffering in life.  we live in the abundant land of america.  we suffer minor losses in our lifetime, compared to those around the world who endure grave suffering daily, hourly, minute by minute. 

but it is affirmation of what we're doing.  we can not save them all, but we can change the lives of two little people, give them hope and a future and an opportunity to be raised in a Christ loving. God fearing home that will love them beyond any love they've probably ever known.  i trust our little anna knows our love for her, and am thankful she had hope in her last days.  i am thankful for His provision to allow us to embark on this path.  i will not give up, shut up, or let go.  i am a disciple of Jesus!