Dr. Keith E. Zacharias

Today I had the privilege of going to a conference in Toronto with Dave Hood and Dan Carlson, two guys that I respect for their fellow geekiness and love of books, theology, philosophy, history, and literature/language.  

The keynote speaker was Ravi Zacharias, a tremendous speaker and apologist who not only has a captivating intellect but also a stunning delivery of profound truths. During one session that he wasn't speaking I was coming in a little late, so I slipped around back of the pews in the large church auditorium and into my seat. As I'm rounding the back of the pews to come up the far side of the isle, whistling the song that everyone else is singing (don't ask my why I was whistling... I really have no idea), the door opens and who to my wondering eyes should appear but Dr. Ravi Zach, with a faithful minion at his side. 

I go further up to my seat and, little do I know, this white haired Indian man is following me. I sit down. He sits down. Beside me. Of course, this is where the choir is supposed to sit when they come back, but neither my new friend nor his loyal minion seem to be aware of this. He seems to be a somewhat useless minion, actually. After all, he hasn't sat Ravi in the right spot, and it turns out that he hasn't gotten Ravi a song-sheet either. Dan and I have to give him ours, which means I ask to share the song-sheet with him until Dan finds another one. "Mind if I share," I asked, coolly and nonchalantly, as though we had been buds since high-school. He murmured some approval, as though distracted. "Should I help him by holding the one side of the book?" I ask myself... "Couldn't hurt." I timidly reach for the other page beside the one he's holding. You have to realize that at this time our hands are approximately this far apart:  

Keith's hand ---------------------------------------------------------- Ravi's hand

Soon, though, Dan has another songbook so I share his instead. I try to sing nice harmony for Ravi to hear. Maybe somehow he'll realize, "Wow, this young man must have tremendous intellect - in spite of whatever he's trying to sing. Perhaps I will offer him a job right now as my personal assistant. After all, this minion doesn't seem to be doing so well." 

I watched as others handed him books to be signed and even helped him by nudging one young man on the shoulder when his book was ready to be returned (after all, this is while talking was taking place up front). I figured that is what a loyal assistant would do. Maybe his minion could take notes. 

Joe Boot was the speaker at the time, who has done apologetics at Oxford and other places and had authored several books, and he mentioned that he was somewhat nervous having Ravi there to hear him. The audience chuckled and all turned to look at me. Well, I guess Ravi more particularly. Really, though, they should have looked to me, because obvious Ravi must have thought I was pretty special to sit beside me. They should have been saying to each other, "Who is that? He must be a pretty tremendous speaker or theologian for Ravi to sit beside him." Then they'd all crowd around me after to get autographs and I'd leave them little personal notes like, "I feel God is calling you to the headhunting tribes... Follow Him. -Keith Dow." Of course they'd do it, because they'd figure I was famous. Headhunters need Jesus too, you know. 

I didn't talk to Ravi at all. Perhaps deep down I wanted to pretend that he was just another random dude and that I really wasn't interested in meeting him or in gaping at his holy glow, even when people started lining up around me to speak with him. I think I just wanted to believe that there really wasn't much difference between him and I. Here's a little blurb about him from his website:

For thirty-three years Ravi Zacharias has spoken all over the world and in numerous universities, notably Harvard, Princeton, and Oxford University. He has addressed writers of the peace accord in South Africa, President Fujimori's cabinet and parliament in Peru, and military officers at the Lenin Military Academy and the Center for Geopolitical Strategy in Moscow. He has been privileged to bring the main address at the National Day of Prayer in Washington, DC, an event endorsed and cohosted by President George W. Bush, and at the Pentagon. Additionally, Mr. Zacharias has spoken twice at the Annual Prayer Breakfast at the United Nations in New York, which marks the beginning of the UN session each year, and at the invitation of the President of Nigeria, he addressed the delegates at the First Annual Prayer Breakfast for African Leaders, held in Mozambique.

Like I said, I'd like to think that there's not much difference between us. I'd like to think that I'll definitely have done just as much as he has (if not more) by the time I'm in my late 50's. I'd like to think that my life will have made just as much difference for the Kingdom of God. After all, we were both born in foreign countries. That has to count for something. 

The truth of the matter is, I don't have nearly as good a memory for captivating stories or pertinent antidotes as he does. I'm also not nearly as smart or quick on my feet or socially adept as he. Listening to his lectures at Harvard on our way home, I realized I certainly couldn't put those students in their place with the wit and thouroughness that he did. In fact, something deep inside me says I'll never be a Ravi Zacharias. 

My whole life I've dreamed of having a profound influence on the world for Christ. This is why I've taken theology and philosophy degrees. They certainly aren't studies for those who hope to settle down quickly and make a lot of money. I'd be willing to die broke if I knew my life had been a uniquely transforming influence for Christ in the world. Sometimes I wonder if my thinking and writing could do that. I've had a couple of nice compliments on my blog, after all. But then, as Ravi said, "When the flood-waters are down, every shrimp has its own puddle." The compliments of a few friends and family are encouraging, but certainly not indicative of great things to come. 

When all things are considered, it is merely vain hope to put my expectancy in something in particular that is profound or great that I might want to do, especially since I don't see myself as particularly talented at something. To put expectancy in such things or in myself is useless and will only end in disappointment. However, I do have a promise that "God works all things for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose," and I know that "it is God who works in [me] to will and act according to His good purpose." 

If I wait patiently for the Lord, studying diligently to correctly handle the word of truth; if I do what I can to love others as Christ has loved me; if I press on to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus, then I know that no matter what results I may observe, God will use me for His glory. 

I will never be a Ravi Zacharias. God has created Him for a reason, and He has created me for a reason. My dream is not to become Ravi. My dream is to become Keith - that Keith who God has called me to be. My dream is to see what God can do through me. Anything that is done with this frail clay is a miracle in itself. That I am hand-crafted and loved by my Father, who also happens to be the Creator of the universe; this is my glory and my crown! In fact, it is my redeemed imperfections that most clearly demonstrate the power of God, for when I am weak then I am strong because God's strength is made perfect in this weakness. Indeed, "we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us" (2 Cor 4:7).  

Lord, refine my dreams that I may recognize your work through me whatever form it may take and give you the glory. May my life glorify you through both the strengths you have given me and through your victory over my inadequacies. Amen.

"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." (1 Cor 1:27-31)