I choose to join the fight.  I choose to be Revolutionary.  I choose in all things to take as my motto, “For the Prize.”  It’s all about fighting the good fight, right? 

But what exactly is “the good fight”?

Fleeing from temptation, fighting sin, battling apathy, defying complacency, and denying self. 

Why?

That I might pursue Christ.  That I might experience the Resurrection.  That I might press toward the goal.  That I might know my beloved Bridegroom, the Lover of my soul.

Yet how do I fight for this?

How does one fight for a loved one, a friend?  By pledging my allegiance.  By remaining loyal.  By laying down my life.

By laying down my life?

Then I must die to self.  Then I must relinquish my rights, my claims to earthly peace and dormant prosperity.  Then I must surrender all other ambitions, all other goals.

What then shall be my goal, my ambition—this solitary passion of my heart and soul?

That I be a living sacrifice.  A humble servant.  An obedient soldier.  That I walk and speak and live a song of praise unto my King.  That I be as a gift that brings joy.  That I love.

But how do I love God, who I cannot see?

How do I embrace Him?  How do I comfort Him as He must have longed to be comforted when walking this earth?  How do I welcome Him as He must have longed to be welcomed?  How can I provide shelter from the storm this world wages, quench hunger and thirst, offer clothe to protect, tears to ease pain, a listening ear, a prayer through an anguished night, even only a simple act of kindness?

How do I embrace Him, hold Him fast, let my heart beat with His?

By loving “the least of these.”  By giving as You gave.

Oh, let this be my creed:

I will deny myself and die for You.  I will defy complacency and strive to run faster, to reach higher, to pledge truer each day—no, each moment, every breath.  I will battle apathy; I will not hesitate to raise sword and shield and wield them well—no, evil will not win, for I will stand and I will speak and I will not be silent.  I will fight sin; I will defeat all that stands in my way—I will claim the victory won.  I will flee from all temptation, guard myself with all precautions, loose all chains that bind, and let go of all that weighs me back.

I will live selflessly.

I will bear my cross faithfully.  I will not look back.  Not that the world would see me, but that they would see Him.  Not that the world would remember me, but that they would remember Him. 

Not that I, alone, would conquer; but that He would conquer, would live, would prevail, could Love through me.

Oh God, use me to change the world!  Not for my glory, not for my name, not for the sake of my dreams; but for Yours.  How this world falters in need of You.  How I do! 

Use me.

I will fight the good fight.  I will fight for You.  I will die to my pride, my desired achievements—everything that causes me to fight for myself and not You, to pledge my allegiance elsewhere.

I will lay down my life.

I will take up my cross.

I will walk in Your Footsteps.

I will pledge all my allegiance to You, and You alone.

I will press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Copyrighted material, used with permission.