Pastor's Letter - August 2023: Plodding for God

Hebrews 6 : 9 - 12

9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case – the things that have to do with salvation. 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

While during my theological training in India, we studied a lot about the work of William Carey, an English missionary to India, who was one of the founders of Serampore University which trains thousands of missionaries every year. I had the privilege of getting my Theological degree from there in 2011. I am one of many fruits of his ministry in India.

Those raised in the English village with William Carey (1761-1834) probably thought he wouldn't accomplish much, but today he's known as the father of modern missions. Born to parents who were weavers, he became a not-too-successful teacher and cobbler while teaching himself Greek, Hebrew, and Latin. After many years, he realized his dream of becoming a missionary to India.

But he faced hardship, including his child's death, his wife's mental health problems, and for many years the lack of response from those he served.

What kept him serving amid difficulties as he translated the entire Bible into six languages and parts of it into twenty-nine others? "I can plod," he said. “I can persevere in any definite pursuit." He committed to serving God no matter what trials he encountered.

This continued devotion to Christ is what the writer to the Hebrews counselled. He called for those reading his letter to not "become lazy" (Hebrews 6:12), but to "show this same diligence to the very end" (V. 11) as they sought to honour God. He reassured them that God "will not forget your work and the love you have shown" (V. 10).

During William Carey's later years, he reflected on how God consistently supplied his needs. "He has never failed in His promise, so I cannot fail in my service to Him." I pray that God would empower everyone at St. John’s to serve Him day by day. I pray that you would take every opportunity to tell others about Jesus.

With Prayers,

Christvin Edbarg