The arrival of the wattle blooms in August is a visual reminder that the change of season is beginning, and hopefully we’ll soon see warmer weather. It is also the month in our Carey calendar where we are asked to reflect on the complex competency of Personal Development.
This month, our Year 8s have taken part in Outdoor Education at Hattah–Kulkyne National Park, the Human Rights Convention, and Rural camps. There have been numerous opportunities for them to reflect on what it means to be role models and display decision making that contributes positively to the social, moral and interpersonal standards of both the School and wider communities.
For the Year 7s and 9s this week, Beth Evans from the Creating Hope Foundation presented to students and encouraged them to reflect on people who have dedicated their lives to helping others. Students heard about Australian humanitarian aid worker Moira Kelly, who has made a positive impact in our own Carey community, as well as for many individuals and communities around the world. They also learnt about the life and impact of a shoemaker from England called William Carey.
We heard how William, born on 17 August 1761, adopted the attitude early on in life to expect great things from God and attempt great things for God and others. William was self-taught and became an expert in translating and explaining the meaning and messages of bible stories and worked constantly to help improve conditions for those he interacted with.
We know William was a great leader and he was familiar with the thoughts of another famous Baptist leader, John Bunyan, who is also remembered in August as he entered eternity on the 31st of this month way back in 1688. John put his thoughts to paper on how to live well in his novel The Pilgrim’s Progress in 1684. John wrote this novel while he was serving a 12-year sentence in Bedford Gaol on a charge of speaking about Jesus without a government-issued licence. The text reflects a commitment to personal freedom and choice when making decisions.
Drawing on the words found in the Bible, and the observation found in Hebrews 11:13 – ‘that we are but strangers and pilgrims on the earth making our way back to God’ – John suggested that we should consider God in our decision making. John wrote:
Who would true valour see
let them come hither;
one here will constant be,
come wind, come weather.
There's no discouragement,
shall make them once relent,
their first avowed intent,
to be a Pilgrim.
Who so beset them round,
with dismal stories,
do but themselves confound;
their strength the more is.
No lion can be a fright,
they’ll with a giant fight,
for they will have a right,
to be a Pilgrim.
Hobgoblin, nor foul fiend,
can daunt their Spirit:
they know, they at the end,
shall Life Inherit.
Then fancies fly away,
they’ll fear not what others say,
they’ll labour night and day,
to be a Pilgrim.
John’s observations that we need to use the time given to us to make good choices in life impacted William Carey and shaped his own personal development, as it did for many readers of The Pilgrim’s Progress then and ever since.
May the following prayer, attributed to Saint Anselm who lived roughly 1000 years ago, help in our own reflections on the decisions we can and should make to benefit others.
Let us pray.
O merciful God, fill our hearts with the graces of the Holy Spirit,
with love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Teach us to love those who are disinterested,
to bless those who can not repay us,
and to pray for those who feel unloved.
In troubling times grant us grace to be patient;
in prosperity keep us humble;
guide our discussions;
reshape our priorities
and help us to remember Jesus your son’s example in our decision making this and every day.
Amen.
Rev. Scott Bramley
Middle School Chaplain
