Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13
“When the Baptist Missionary Society was formed in 1792, and their first missionary, Mr Carey, chosen, the remark was made by some one of the gentlemen, “There is a gold mine in India, but it seems almost as deep as the centre of the earth; who will venture down to explore it?” “I will venture to go down,” said Carey to his brethren, “but you must hold the ropes.” And they all engaged to do so.
What did they and he mean? Why, by “the gold mine” they meant there were many precious souls in India that wanted saving and setting high in heaven. By “going down into the mine,” they meant going there to try to save and bless these souls. And by “holding the ropes” they meant the work that those that were left behind at home would have to do to help the missionaries that should be abroad.”
William Carey (1761-1834) missionary to India, in “Holding the Ropes” in The Children’s missionary newspaper, volume 7 (Gall and Inglis; Edinburgh, 1850) 7.
It is fitting to find inspiration from Carey as I serve EFAC India in New Delhi today. With the same zeal of this pioneer missionary, I urge you to spend yourself in one of two ways: to save or bless others in challenging places at home or abroad or hold the ropes for those who are.
Those who sacrifice comfort and safety, who risk disease and danger, all for the sake of loving and serving others in the name of Jesus, need faithful people to spot them. Rather than live your life for yourself, give your life to God in either such sacrificial service or support.
For my part, the greatest encouragement I hear in my global travels comes in the form of two simple words: with you. I love it when people track with me and remind me that they are holding the ropes for me, as I give my life in service to others in the name of Jesus.