As I stand looking out at the prospects of my future, the waves seem very high and the horizon very far. I’m pondering the meaning of “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19a).
For me, “all nations” has come to qualify nations foreign to English. My God is not an English God. He not only speaks more than English, but he adopts a culture wider than just English. “All nations” has, for me, come to signify the Far East.
In this season of preparation, I’m obviously learning new things; another language being one. With language comes culture, and with culture the challenge to separate what’s absolutely true from what’s culturally acceptable.
Perhaps someone noteworthy to mention would be William Carey.
"Taking his life as a whole, it is not too much to say that he was the greatest and most versatile Christian missionary sent out in modern times." Fred Barlow
Missions today has Carey to thank for his following vital contributions.
Firstly, he wrote his famed “Enquiry Into the Obligations of the Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathen”. This masterpiece on missions gave answers to arguments, reviewed the history of missions from apostolic times and surveyed the entire known world in regards to countries, size, population and religions. It was also practical with its application of how to reach the world for Christ! I’ve always appreciated people who are able to breakthrough mere knowledge into practical application!
Secondly, in 1792 he became a founding member of the Baptist Missionary Society. This was the first of what turned out to be many missionary societies. Carey himself volunteered to be the one of the organizations first missionaries.
I’m reminded of the scripture in Isaiah6:8 (NIV)
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’
And I said, ‘Here I am. Send me!’”
William Carey arrived in Calcutta. India in November 1793. Seven years later he baptized his first convert! I don’t know how willing I would be to stay in a foreign land for seven years, each day diligently serving, awaiting the fruit of my labour. But Carey was focused on his work, driven by the compassion in his heart for a nation in India.
Having a knack for linguistics (by 21, he had mastered Latin, Greek, Hebrew and Italian and was turning to Dutch and French) Carey not only learnt to speak many of the Indian languages but he also translated the entire bible into India’s major languages: Bengali, Oriya, Marathu, Hindi, Assamese, and Sanskrit.
I too have found I have a knack for languages. I am encouraged to pursue language when I note the impact it had when Carey used it for God’s works. For me, language is a way of communicating what’s inside you. The words used to communicate these things differ, but the heart, thoughts and feelings of people can be universally understood.
Other parts of Carey’s ministry in India that I like are his tackling of social injustices and the desire to train people. His concern was not only regarding who people were living for but also for how they were living.
When I read of the life of William Carey, I am encouraged to approach ‘the gospel’ as more than just believing in the saving work of Jesus, but that the gospel is in fact the good news of ‘God’s way of Life’. There is a biblical way to do everything from plumbing to accounting to nursery school, to motor mechanics. You get the picture.
I close with these words;
“Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God” William Carey
http://www.wholesomewords.org/missions/biocarey.html
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