Expect Great Things from God. Attempt Great Things for God!

In 1792 William Carey uttered one of his most famous quotes in a sermon to his fellow clergy. The quote was "Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God!" Carey lived by this saying and the following year he went as a pioneering missionary into India. It cost him greatly but now we recognise him as the father of the modern world mission movement and the Baptist Missionary Society. Through God, Carey attempted the evangelisation of India. Definitely no small thing.

I have been dwelling on his statement over the last few weeks and how easy it is to attempt nothing for God. I think the reason being is that at the very heart of attempting things for God is that you have to overcome the internal voice of self doubt and take tangible steps of faith in a forward direction. You have to speak out a future that is not yet a reality. The potential for looking foolish is high but it's what every pioneer ever has had to do. 

I have been pondering what his internal world was like the days before proclaiming these words or stepping on the ship to leave England. Was he doubting himself. Was he nervous. Did he know how much God would do through his humble steps of obedience. Either way, at the end of the day, he managed to summons the courage and he did attempt great things for God and the world was better for it.

I've been pondering because in a few days time I'll be attempting something I have't done before that feels big and overwhelming. 

I'm going to Mexico to attempt something big. I'll be flying into Mexico City to look at booking a stadium for a mass gathering.  I'll be meeting together with some of the passionate young adults I know there to form a leadership team for the event. Thirdly I will be traveling to various Mexican cities like Queretaro, Morelia and Guadalajara to meet with pastors and ministry leaders to cast the vision of a mass gathering of Mexicans for a National day of Prayer and Fasting asking God to send revival to their nation. 

Its definitely a large dream and I need to summons the courage of Carey and be found expecting and attempting great things for God. After all, life is short, the mission field is large and God is looking for faith.