Minister's Corner

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4)
William Carey was an English missionary. But Carey was no ordinary missionary. At age 12, he was an apprentice to the town’s shoemaker. Little did he know, he would become “the father of modern missions” and inspire several generations of men and women to attempt great things and change their world.
In November 1793, Carey and his family arrived in Calcutta, India, as missionaries. This unceremonious event became a cornerstone to modern global mission endeavors. One of Carey’s most memorable axioms says, “Expect great things; attempt great things.” While working as a shoemaker, he taught himself several languages. He later used this skill to translate the Bible into Bengali, Sanskrit and the vernacular of other languages and dialects. Carey made a remarkable impact on the people of India.
Because of his missionary endeavors in India, his legacy lives on and inspires thousands of men and women to surrender to the call to missions by taking the gospel to the ends of the Earth. At the heart of Cary’s conviction was his desire to attempt great things in life. Many people expect great things, but only a few will make the effort to attempt great things. Are you among the many or the few? Carey was inspired by Jesus’ commandment to “go into all the world and …” change it. (Matthew 28). Jesus calls his followers to attempt great things. Carey was willing to accept Jesus’ challenge to change the world around him. Are you willing to accept the challenge?
From a lowly stable, Jesus would eventually change the world around him. Pay close attention to what he did. To those in need he provided food, clothes, water, hospitality, health care and visited those in prison (Matthew 25). Is there anything in this list that we could not attempt? By all means, we can get involved and change our community and the world around us. Jesus calls us to attempt great things.
God has sent us on a mission to change the world by making disciples — followers of Christ. It takes conviction and courage to attempt great things for God. We must be willing to make great sacrifices if we are to achieve great things. Great sacrifices produce great results. Carey demonstrates what happens when we attempt great things.
Another example concerns the Murrah building, which was the target of the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995. The building was a U.S. federal government complex in downtown Oklahoma City, named after federal judge Alfred P. Murrah.
Murrah was born Oct. 27, 1904, in Tishomingo. At age 13 he ran away from home and spent a lot of time hiding away on freight trains. Discovered on a train in Tuttle, he was thrown off by an officer. A local family befriended him and offered room and board in exchange for labor. From that unassuming station, Murrah attempted high school and college, and eventually earned a LL.B from The University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1928. And the rest, they say, is history.
On Feb. 8, 1937, he was appointed by President Roosevelt and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to the United States District Court for the western, northern and eastern districts of Oklahoma. At age 32, he became one of the youngest federal judges in history. Added to these accomplishments, he was appointed judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. According to Chief Justice of the United States Warren Burger, Murrah became “one of the foremost figures in the American judiciary.”
And all that was achieved from a life that started as a runaway teenager on freight trains. Look at the things we can accomplish when we attempt great things. Judge Murrah is an example of what it means to attempt great things. You and I can accomplish great things for the kingdom of God if we attempt great things for his kingdom. Many years ago, Charles Wesley penned these inspiring words:
“To serve the present age,
My calling to fulfill
O may it all my pow’rs engage
To do my Master’s will!”
Great things begin with small changes. Attempt great things for God.