Here’s a follow-up to the story of William Carey that we started yesterday, and it falls under the heading of a definition of insanity often wrongly attributed to Einstein:   

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

But no matter who said it, we all fall prey to it. I recently failed to solve a puzzle because I kept using the same approach, the wrong one! When one approach doesn’t work, we should be open to trying something else or at least looking for something else. 

Some people who act like they have only one tool are pastors. One of our pastors used to say, “You preach yourself out of problems.” Maybe. William Carey tried that. He was desperate to involve people in missions, and he was captivated (as am I) by Isaiah 54.2, 3 (I review it every day):

Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities. (Isaiah 54.2, 3, NIV)

A biography on William Carey captures this story: 

In a sermon called the “Deathless Sermon” in 1792, Carey preached from Isaiah 54:2-3, where he sounded for a divine call to action, which formed his famous quote:

Expect great things from God! Attempt great things for God! -William Carey

He was convinced that God was saying to the Church, therefore to every individual Christian: “Rouse up from your complacency. Find larger canvas, stouter and taller tent poles, stronger tent pegs. Catch wider visions. Dare bolder programs. Rouse up and go forth to conquer for Christ even the uttermost parts and the isles of the sea.”

However, none of his congregation was moved by his sermon. They did not even pause to pray for those who did not have any access to a Bible in their own language. To them, it was just another nice sermon to listen to but not to be taken too seriously. –William Carey: Pioneer to India & Father of Modern Missions, emphasis mine

I’m reminded of God’s word to Ezekiel:

As for you, son of man, your people are talking together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, saying to each other, “Come and hear the message that has come from the LORD.” My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice. (Ezekiel 33.30 – 32, NIV, emphasis mine)

The solution, it turned out, was not more preaching. Carey himself responded to his own challenge. He and a few like-hearted men founded a mission support society, and Carey became its first missionary, arriving in India within a year. He served in Asia until his death in 1834, more than 40 years later.

Here are my takeaways from today’s blog:

• Don’t get stuck with one approach.
• With respect to God’s mission, I am the solution!
• A few people fully committed are always better than a whole congregation of people who listen only.

He climbed a mountain and invited those he wanted with him… He settled on twelve and designated them apostles. The plan was that they would be with him, and he would send them out to proclaim the Word. (Mark 3.13, 14, MSG)

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” (John 20.21, ESV)

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Timothy 2.1, 2, NIV)