Powhatan Mennonite Church

P.O. Box 220, 3540 Old Buckingham Rd. 

  Powhatan, Virginia  23139-0220


 

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Chasing the Wind ............submitted by Jolene Schlosser

The following excerpts was part of Ben Talmadge’s valedictorian address May 20, 1999 at the Clay-Chalkville High School commencement exercises in Birmingham, Alabama. Ben received a standing ovation after delivering the speech, as well as commendations from the school principal. Reprinted from Alliance Life, September 2000.

 

My dad once told me a story of a teenage girl whose pastor asked how she managed to keep herself from temptation and peer pressure. She simply answered, "I am the peer pressure." I tell you this story because I hope you will see through this simple speech that I model my own life in the same way as this girl; that I, too, strive to be the peer pressure in a world where I am constantly surrounded by those who try to lead me astray.....

I ‘d like to share a story that describes my view on life and what I believe is God’s will for each and every person.

Story of a Martyr: An African pastor was overwhelmed by rebels who demanded that he renounce his faith. He refused. The night before they took his life, he wrote the following lines on a scrap of paper.

I am part of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed." I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I’ve stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of His. 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 love living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving and dwarfed goals!

I am 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 presence, lean by faith, love by patience, lift 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 few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, 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 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 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. And when he comes to get his own, he’ll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear.

You see, throughout my years in high school, I have come to realize that there is no life without God. Many people believe that they can find their self-worth and self-confidence through drinking, drugs, money, sex or popularity. I stand here tonight to tell you that all of these are a mere chasing of the wind. They are all the lies of Satan, and one day all those who have indulged themselves with such lies will realize that their lives have meant nothing, and that throughout their life they were merely chasing after the wind..... God truly lives today, and he’s waiting for you to run to him with open arms and a repentant heart. Turn to him today and keep your life from being a mere chasing after the wind.

 

 

For questions or comments you may email the pastor at timbev2@yahoo.com or the webmaster at hffinc@i-c.net