Fifteen years ago, in northeastern Nigeria, Pastor Oji preached his final, greatest, and shortest sermon.
As he spoke, his eyes filled with tears. They were tears of gratitude for having lived a healthy life up until now, and tears of love for the friends and people in town I would never see again. His “sermon” contained only six words, but its impact would be felt far beyond that moment.
When he finished, the sword fell and his race on earth was over.
Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful and reflect on how the Lord has blessed us this year. As you sit with your loved ones this Thanksgiving, consider Pastor Oji's words. “What does it mean to die well and, more importantly, what does it mean to live well?” The persecuted and the martyrs are whispering lessons to us. They can show you how to do both, if you just stop and listen.
Posted by international christianity issues Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Pastor Oji was killed by Boko Haram, a notorious Islamist terrorist organization that continues to operate violently in Nigeria today. Mr. Oji saw the storm approaching and urged his congregation to flee south for safety. But when an elderly parishioner was left behind, he chose to return, knowing full well the risks. He was captured along with many other Christians. They were given a stark choice: to renounce their faith and live, or to die resolutely. While the prisoners were divided into their chosen fates, Pastor Oji began singing a hymn, giving courage to the “congregation.”
When the militants were ready, it was clear who the first victim would be. Pastor Oji is dragged before the group and given one last chance to save himself. What was his reaction? With remarkable calm, he looked into the eyes of those he had befriended and mentored and delivered the last six words of his sermon: “Tell my family I died well.”
I know Pastor Oji's story because my organization had the privilege of supporting his family after his death. But his story reflects the experience of countless Christians (hundreds of thousands in Nigeria and millions around the world) who have given their lives for their faith over the past century.
A villager and his dog from a Christian community attacked by Nigerian jihadists (Courtesy of International Christian Concern)
Over 20 years, I have read thousands of such accounts, each containing valuable lessons. Perhaps their greatest gift is to show us what it means to live well and die well.
For Pastor Ohji, “dying well'' meant setting a higher purpose throughout one's life and remaining faithful to that mission until death. But his tears and final words reveal that his life was also fueled by love for his family, friends, and community. He clearly understood the truth that becomes self-evident at the end of life's race. There are only two things that really matter. It is a relationship with God and love for others.
Thanksgiving is a time to gather around the table with loved ones over lovingly prepared food and reflect on nature and the lessons of gratitude. After all, that was the original purpose of Thanksgiving. lincoln declared National Thanksgiving immediately after the bloodshed at Gettysburg. Born out of immense suffering, Lincoln's call was a grateful call that acknowledged the blessings of heaven and committed the nation to a common mission of healing and unity. Thanksgiving was never meant to be just a holiday. Rather, it is a call to remember what we have received and to live with purpose and mission.
Both Lincoln's proclamation and Reverend Ohji's last words reveal a timeless truth. That is, the deepest gratitude usually comes not from a place of abundance, but from a place of deep pain and loss. Persecuted people and martyrs like Pastor Oji whisper to us about the nature of meaning.
The rubble of a burnt community attacked by Fulani jihadists in Nigeria (Courtesy of International Christian Concern)
Meaning is a byproduct of organizing your life around what truly matters: love for God and humanity. It comes from fixing our hearts on eternal truth and sharing in the selfless love that is showered upon us.
So as you sit at your Thanksgiving table, remember Pastor Oji's last words. Let's consider what it means to “die well” and, more importantly, what it means to live well.
Because we all want to finish this race with eyes and hearts filled with the love of having run a good race.
jeff king It operates as International Christian Concern (ICC) (persecution.org) has been president since 2003 and is one of the world's top experts on religious persecution. He has testified before the U.S. Congress on religious freedom and defended persecuted people everywhere. He has been interviewed or quoted by most of today's major media outlets. new york times, wall street journal, washington post and washington times. he three-time author is available as guest speaker. Jeff is also the host “Faith Under Fire”” is a podcast dedicated to helping Christians grow and defend their faith. If you would like to learn more please visit: Jeff King's blog.
