Fellowship of the Unashamed

In the late 1980s and early 1990s the African country of Zimbabwe was torn by political strife and war. Depending upon where you were in the country, it was a dangerous thing to be an outspoken follow of Jesus. An unknown, unnamed Zimbabwean pastor was warned by his villagers that the rebel armies were coming to the village. They would destroy it, burn his little church, and murder him if he stayed. He chose to stay with the village he loved and to remain with the Jesus he followed. He was, in fact, murdered the following day. Later, those going through his home and papers found these words – written the night before his death. He wrote:

I am part of the “Fellowship of the Unashamed.” The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. 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, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I now live by presence, learn by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power. My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, [but] my Guide is reliable, [and] my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, 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 am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until Heaven returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear.