I've been reading a biography of William Carey by his grandson, S. Pearce Carey. What an amazing story!
I told Trish last night that reading his biography makes me feel so small. I realize in so many ways how selfish and lazy I am. This man was tireless. He taught himself something like 38 languages: Latin, Hebrew, Greek, Bengali, Hindi, Sanskrit, Oriya, Telegu, Marathi, Assamese, Pashto, Kashmiri, Manipuri and many more. He translated at least part of the scriptures into 35 different languages. He was preaching in Bengali within 8 months of landing in India. I've been in India for almost 3 years and while can carry on a conversation pretty well, but still am not to preach.
His exploits were many. In addition to translation and printing, he started or had a hand in starting hundreds of schools, many mission centers, and a university. He published journals and newspapers, and through them raised awareness of sati (widow burning). His tireless publicity prompted the law which led to the abolition of this practice. In fact, he accomplished much more than he himself ever anticipated.
The cool thing is through it all, it's very clear from his humility that he knew that everything that was accomplished was by God's grace. Because I can see God working through him, rather than being discouraged that I have accomplished so little, I'm filled with hope. I know that the same God that used Carey is working in and through me!
How cool is it to think that if I will wholly devote myself to Him and His service that he can do much more through my life than I anticipate! This book is a great testament to what God can do with someone wholly yielded to Him and willing to obey even when friends, family and supporters wavered in their support of Him.
I'm inspired! I'm encouraged! Praise be to God that He's still using William Carey over 170 years after his death. I've redoubled my efforts in learning Hindi. I'm daily reading my Hindi Bible. Who knows, maybe once I'm able to preach in Hindi, then 'll start learning Bengali.
The other thing I saw quite clearly is that Carey labored for many years before he saw a single convert. He was faithful to the vision and calling God gave him, continuing service in India for near 40 years. One of his last sermons was from Galatians 6:9 reminding me that we too will reap if we don't grow weary. So, I press on.
