Surrounded By Such A Great Cloud Of Witnesses

Mr. Robert was a wealthy business man from the region of Norwich. He received the call of God to serve in India. He wrestled with his call and decided to strike a deal with God. He wanted to save wealth before he left to India.  He invested his money and waited for God's favour. First World War took him away from his family and when he returned, he found that his friends had swindled his wealth. Robert was bitter against God. He decided not to go to India and settled in Canada. After his death his wife raised his 6 children, 2 girls and 4 boys, in God-fearing way.  The boys went their own direction, earning and living their own way.

One day on their way to the club, music from a church pulled the boys there.  They stayed there for a while and continued their journey to the club. Youngest of the boys, said, "I can't go.  I have to go back to that church and see what that is all about" .  Brothers did not want anything to do with religion. But Alfred returned to the church, surrendered his life to God and received God's call to India. He, Dr. Alfred Cawston and his wife founded SABC in their humble home.

In 2002, Professor Williams, resigned his stable government aided job, in obedience to God's Voice. He was asked to work in a theological institute, in a profile he was not prepared.  His two daughters had not finished their studies.  But he knew God knows better when He asks him to step out. Later his two daughters were called to be part of different Bible Colleges.

Being his daughter I always wondered, if I, a simple worker at CGLD community needed generations of obedience to His Voice, how much more the intensity will be to the Founder. My search ended when I heard Rev. David Cawston narrating his dad's journey to India.   I saw the patterns of God's gentle Voice to His people and their obedience to it - From founding members, faculty, staff  to multitudes of graduates.  Indeed, I am Surrounded By Such A Great Cloud Of Witnesses!

And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about all of them. who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies...... These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:32-40)

The author of Hebrew paints us the pattern of God's people's obedience to His Call. They do not look successful. Yet they all perfectly fit in God's Picture of Salvation.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.(Hebrews 12:1-3)

The author says Abraham obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.  It is amazing to note that his father Terah started the journey towards Canaan, marking the path to Salvation. They did not understand clearly what was in store for them. In faith they continued their journey. So let us say, 

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philipians 3:12-14)

Yes, Press on until you reach your finishing line!