Tags
2 Timothy 4, Fight the good fight, Finish the race, God's will, Hebrews 12:1, Nabeel Qureshi, Redeem the time, Seeking Allah Finding Jesus
This weekend, a phrase kept replaying in my mind: “There is no safer place than in the center of God’s will.” I’ve been contemplating this and thinking about a lot of different things, trying to wrap my mind around some questions that I don’t necessarily have the answers to.
Within the last two years, I stumbled across a book that literally changed at least parts of my worldview. It was entitled “Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus” by Nabeel Qureshi. In it, he shares his testimony of being raised devout Muslim, but through years of research, lots of questions, and a faithful Christian friend, he gave his life over to Jesus. It is a fascinating read that changed how I view Islam, my friends who are missionaries to Muslims, and how I, personally, share Christ.
I began to follow Nabeel on social media. He was married and had a beautiful little girl and a thriving ministry with Ravi Zacharias. I was excited to follow him and see how God used him.
Then, a little over a year ago, he announced the unthinkable: he had Stage 4 stomach cancer. This year has been painful as he vlogged faithfully about his journey, sharing conversations with his wife, friends, and family. Chronicling his chemo treatments and illness. Asking for prayer and for people to fast and beg God to heal him, if that be His will.
Nabeel lost his battle on Saturday, September 16, 2017.
When I watched his last vlog, I was just overcome with sadness. The news that he had finally passed away has hung heavy on my heart this weekend.
And it was that phrase, “There is no safer place than in the center of God’s will”, that I have struggled with all weekend. Because, see, Nabeel was obviously not ‘safe.’ He suffered. He left behind a young family. He had a thriving ministry, much bigger than I’ll ever have. He has unsaved family and friends. He struggled, went through lots of pain and horrible surgeries and treatments. And he died. At 34.
My age.
As I pondered all this, God brought the verse to mind that He will build His church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. This is surely not news, but it struck me anew this weekend: ‘my’ ministry is really not ‘mine.’ God doesn’t need me. He will accomplish His will, with or without me.
What probably hit me hardest about Nabeel’s passing is simply the fact that we’re the same age. To think that someone who was being greatly used by God and had everything going for him could die so suddenly while still so young just seemed – horrible. Unfair. Heart-wrenching. Not ‘safe’ in the will of God.
But, we don’t know why God chose to let him die so young and it would be futile to venture a guess. The point, though, is not that he died; the point is how he lived. He redeemed the time. Every minute of his time was not wasted. He shared the Gospel, hope, and love until the very end.
So, are we ‘safe’? I would dare say no – at least not in the general sense of the word. We are safe because this life is merely a blip and then we’re in eternity and how we got there won’t really matter. But, what we do before we get there – that’s what’s important. I may be disposable, but God has still given me a ministry to do and purpose for while I’m breathing. My ministry will be done when He says it’s done, not when it appears to be done by earthly standards. Which means – I must redeem my time.
You have been given a ministry, too. If that ministry is being a great mom and raising your children to know, love, and obey Jesus – then do it with all your might every single day. Don’t get sidetracked and distracted by what the world has to offer. Work your day job to the best of your ability and share Jesus with all who will listen because you know what? Eternity will be here before we know it.
I have this posted in my kitchen:
I read it daily as a reminder that life is fleeting and getting stressed and upset is a waste of time. I want to be remembered as a good mom who showed her kids the love of Jesus by example, not a mom who was angry and hypocritical.
I am thankful that Jesus pursued Nabeel and that Nabeel, in turn, pursued Jesus and shared Him with others. I’m thankful for the story of Nabeel’s life because it changed so much of how I view missions. I’m saddened, especially for his family, at his loss. But, it’s been a good reminder to-
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. (2 Tim. 4:2)
Sunday morning, I found myself picturing Nabeel first being greeted by Jesus, then having the Apostle Paul right behind Jesus, anxiously awaiting his turn to talk to him. I felt like Nabeel’s last words echoed Paul’s:
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Tim. 4:6-8)
Hebrews 11 tells us about the Hall of Faith – those amazing people who have gone before us, yet have not received their reward because they have to wait for us to get done with our turn. The first verse of Hebrews 12 reads:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…
I wonder if Nabeel has now joined that crowd? Do we have people cheering us on, who are as enamored with our lives as we are with theirs? Does Esther have people that she’s cheering on specifically and can’t wait to meet? Is Paul standing in heaven yelling and screaming for someone here on earth that he wants to finish strong? And do they wait for us at the gate to welcome us home? And then once we’re there, do we join that crowd and cheer everyone else on? Even if not, it’s sure a great thing to imagine.
We may not be ‘safe’ in the typical sense of the word. But, it doesn’t matter. Our job is still to –