I’m not listening to some guy talk for an hour
That was my reaction when I first looked at the time-stamp of a YouTube video I came across. At the time I had never heard of this Zacharias before, or rather I had just learned of his existence. I don’t know what rock I was living under but in truth I grew up not knowing what apologistes was or if that world existed.
This Is going to sound a little strange but I might never have had the pleasure of knowing this man if it was not for hip hop. You see one of my favorite artists “Da truth” came out with another album called Complicated; and all through it featured someone named Ravi Zacharias. I assumed he was another rapper I never heard of. So ok whatever was my initial thought. There was some interesting dialogue in the beginning with someone ( I’m really slow) than the song. Move along to another track and there would be Da Truth talking with Zacharias again, and the conversation was interesting. More than that it was answering questions I’ve had for years. After the album was done I found myself wanting more.
What I found was the extended version with the two, the time stamp was close to an hour. You’ll have to forgive me but the last thing I wanted was to watch people talk/preach for anything close to 60 minutes. My second thought was that I would listen a little and hop out five or ten minutes in. The hour went by in a matter of seconds ( felt that way anyway).
The funny thing about it was that according to the comments people either knew one or the other but not so much both, it was a meeting of worlds as well as a meeting of the minds. So of course I looked more into Mr. Zacuries and was not let down by what I found. I grew encouraged by his testimony of a boy who tried to commit sucied but instead was minister to on that hospital bed when only 17. His accomplishments were vast, he built the organization RZIM that has equipped many with the knowledge of Christ and the tools to defend the faith.
He had many accomplishments but out of bias I will remember what he did for me. My demeanor is one that hates conflict, so to argue for a living seemed of little interest. However from watching Revi I believe it wasn’t an argument that gave him any kind of Joy, but rather the chance at a changed heart. He had the intelligence to put most questionnaires in their place but that was the last thing he wanted. He began every answer thanking the one who asked before graciously responding. When the audience would clap he would almost cut them short to reach back out to the one who asked the question, he didn’t want them embarrassed and defeated, didn’t want them to walk away in anger, to win the argument but lose the soul I believe held no interest to Ravi. When I read in the Bible and see Jesus calling his disciples to follow him, just forsake all and follow this man I pondered what could motivate them to act in such a way. This man has humbly shown me enough that I know why they followed. It is that heart that I hope to grow in me, one of love and wisdom.
It is bitter sweet that I have to talk about Ravi Zacharias in the past tense. His time on this earth has passed and he has received his heavenly reward. In fact as I write this I’m watching the memorial service for this great man, if you never heard of this man or his ministry I encourage you to search it out. There is treasure to be had when a warrior of the faith passes from one life to the next.
All that remains is to use what was passed to us to carry on the same message that Ravi did, the same that the Lord commissioned us, the beautiful Gospel that must go out all.
