The Church isn’t a holding tank. It isn’t a hiding place. It’s not a therapist’s sanctuary or a priest’s confessional. It’s not moss covered stones or stained glass windows. The Church of Jesus Christ is a people following the way of their King. As we go, we grow, in number, in sincerity, in hardship, and in victory. Over the years, we’ve been bloodied and we bear the scars. We endure internal conflict and have had our wholeness all but rent to pieces. Yet we endures… we perseveres because God’s living Spirit abides with us and leads us in His way. The Way is what the early followers of Jesus called their lives. They followed the way of Jesus in living and in dying. When they failed, they confessed and repented, then pressed on. They helped one another and others along the way. They gave because they’d been given: time, talent, treasure, even their very lives.
This narrative is one man’s reflection on walking in Jesus’ way in Pakistan today… his telling of why he sees no alternative, no veering from this truth: whatever your context, if you would live, Jesus’ is life, Jesus is the way, following Jesus is your only hope. This isn’t a carved out, theological treatise being handed down from a lofty height.
We need heady believers to play their part for all of us as we try and navigate Jesus’ way. Tahir’s not here for that. His feet are in the dirt… walking the streets and pathways like so many in two thirds of the world. His cost of living is meager, his life is full, and his investment is insurmountable. He lives and breathes the way of Jesus in a place where doing so marks you for death at any moment. But Jesus’ way is life, and Tahir’s chosen to live.
johncotton –
One Pashto Proverbs (translated for our benefit) says this: “One is equal to one hundred, and one hundred to earth.” Meaning: One brave man is equal to
one hundred cowards. Another proverb says that “When a brave man can’t get assistance readily, he sets to work and does without it.” I would use both these proverbs to describe Tahir, and all who truly embrace a life followingJesus, whatever their circumstances. We want to help them. Our mission and vision are simple: Help Tahir raise money to care for his family and teachJesus’ way so that disciples are made in Pakistan. We’ve put together a lean, multifunctional team to serve these ends. In truth, we’re just seeking to follow Jesus’ way too. Will you help us? Will you ask God the Holy Spirit if He would have you give so that together we can labor alongside Tahir, doing what we can to see his family thoughtfully cared for, to the end that disciples of Jesus are made in Pakistan? Every book you purchase, every dollar you give will help Mission Pakistan faithfully pursue these ends. This brave man’s walking in Jesus’ way, helping others do the same in a place where the price for doing so is easily your life. I’ll take one of him to a million of most of us until we join him.That’s where Tahir’s helping us too… calling us out of our first world stupor to find our feet on the path of Jesus’ way alongside him. I hope you’ll join us. Grace, Peace, and Courage…