How Far Can You Go for the Gospel?

"How far can you go?" This question has been weighing on my heart as I research those who have gone to extraordinary lengths to defend and spread the Gospel. This morning, as I read, a voice within whispered: "Why all this stress? You have a living example to write about."

I paused, curious. "Who?" I asked.

Then the name rang loud—Leah Sharibu.

I knew nothing about Leah Sharibu until that fateful day when Nigerians woke up to the news that kidnapped schoolgirls in Dapchi, Yobe State, had been released. But one girl remained in captivity. As the reason for her continued detention emerged, reactions poured in from every corner, which I will discuss later. Right now, my heart is consumed with one question: How did Leah feel when she was asked to deny her faith?

From what little I knew, she was a 15-year-old student at Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State. She watched as her schoolmates prepared to return home. And she knew—the only way she could join them was to deny Jesus.

Simple, right? People do it all the time. They deny Him and later ask for mercy. Life goes on.

But not Leah.

I imagine her friends pleading with her. "Leah, think about school! Your dreams of becoming a doctor, an engineer, a renowned lawyer—don’t throw it all away."

Or perhaps they appealed to her emotions: "What about your mother? She will cry herself to sleep every night. Leah, deny Jesus for her sake."

Still, not Leah.

Then, perhaps, came the final plea—"Think about what will happen if you don’t. You know these people’s reputation. They torture hostages before killing them!"

Her answer? "Jesus went to the cross for me; I cannot deny Him now."

I imagine the struggle, the pressure, the weight of the moment. "Leah, please, just this once—can you leave Jesus out of this?"

Her reply was unwavering: "If Jesus is out of this, then I don’t see the reason for being here at all."

And when confronted with the ultimate fear—"What if you die?"—she smiled and declared, "To live is Christ, and to die is gain. Do not worry, I will not die if my assignment is not completed."

A Heroine of Faith

Leah, you were just 15 years old, yet you made Jesus shed tears of joy, whispering, "I did not die in vain."

I thought a month in captivity would shake your faith. That after Hawa was killed, you might waver. It would have been understandable. But not you.

Your boldness inspired strength in many. You stood—and you are still standing. A true warrior of faith. May God strengthen you.

A Mirror to Ourselves

I write this with a bleeding heart, asking: If I were in Leah’s place that day, what would my decision be?

Would I deny Jesus or stand firm?

I know what you're thinking—you would never deny Him. But do you realize how easy it is to say that?

Because the truth is, we deny Him every day—in our offices, our schools, in business transactions, among friends.

And some—perhaps even her own teachers—said she was foolish. "She could have renounced her faith, then asked God for forgiveness at home."

But Leah lived the Gospel she was taught. And in doing so, she joined the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11.

The Prayer of a Generation

We often pray: "God, make me the David, Paul, Ruth, Esther, Samuel, Peter of this generation."

But today, I have a living example.

So I dare to ask: "Lord, grant me the boldness of Leah Sharibu—to stand for the Gospel anytime, anywhere, and at any cost."

The Call to Stand

Ministers decline invitations to preach in crisis-stricken areas, yet the center with the highest representation at last year’s convention was the very place where conflict was ongoing.

And yet—Leah stands in the heart of the storm, still holding on.

We love to declare our devotion in the comfort of prayer. But when the time comes to stand for Christ, where do we go?

The Gospel is not meant to be shared only when convenient.

A Witness to Faith

I have read about John Foxe, Smith Wigglesworth, A.W. Tozer, Mary Slessor, David Livingstone, and others.

But today—I am alive to witness Leah Sharibu still standing for Christ.

And because of that, she is a Heroine of Faith in the 21st century.

I am a witness to her sacrifice.

As you go about your daily activities, please pray for Leah Sharibu’s freedom.

And pray for her family, too.