I remember a Peanuts cartoon in which Charlie Brown is determined to finally go and speak to the little red haired girl who is his idol. This time he’s going to do it, and nothing will stop him!
Then it starts to rain.
Well, you know what happened. Charlie Brown isn’t called wishy-washy for nothing.
We all have some Charlie Brown in us. I know I do. For me, it’s far too easy to get distracted or lose focus, or be deterred by challenging circumstances, and end up not following through on commitments I’ve made.
I think that’s why the Bible’s picture of Jesus setting His face to go to the cross is so meaningful to me (see The Resolute Love of Jesus).
Isaiah 50:5-7 (NKJV) The Lord GOD has opened My ear; And I was not rebellious, Nor did I turn away. 6 I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting. 7 “For the Lord GOD will help Me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have set My face like a flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed.
Jesus set His face like a flint. That vivid image helps me to understand what commitment really is. It means that once I know what God is calling me to do, there’s no discussion, no argument, no questioning … no ifs, ands, or buts.
No obstacle or difficulty will make me change my mind. If it’s too hot or too cold, that won’t stop me. If I’m tired, I’ll try to get some rest, but being tired won’t keep me from doing what I’m called to do. If people talk about me and ridicule me, it may hurt, but it won’t make me turn around.
If I am going to accomplish anything of value in life, and especially if I’m going to fulfill my God-given calling, I’m going to have to set my face like a flint, just as Jesus did.
That’s what it takes to have victory over the obstacles that inevitably confront me in life. That’s what it takes to be an overcomer.
Ron Franklin
