Anthem...

I absolutely love Jon Acuff's blog, Stuff Christians Like. I thoroughly enjoy his posts, and his commenters never fail to make me laugh - and think. Today, he asked folks to share their life anthems, and a commenter named Elena (all of 18 years old) shared something that just blew me away. She said her youth minister taught it to her and she memorized it and repeats it often. I asked her if I could pass it along and she encouraged me to do so:

I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed.
The die has been cast.
The decision has been made.
I have stepped over the line.
I'm His disciple.
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'm finished and done with low living, sight-walking,
small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions,
mundane 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 on His presence,
love with patience,
live 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 are few,
my Guide is reliable and my mission is 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 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 slow up
until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up
and spoken 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 is clear.