Devoted For Life

“A little while we are in eternity. Before we find ourselves there, let us do much for Christ.” -Ann Judson.

Adoniram and Ann had been in Burma for six years and still had not seen a convert. They must have considered going back to America, but they knew if they didn’t stay there would be little to no hope for the lost souls of Burma. Over the next 40 years, the couple would face uncertainty, persecution, and death but it would ultimately lead to 8,000 converts and 100 Baptist Churches planted.

“The motto for every missionary, whether preacher, printer, or schoolmaster, ought to be ‘devoted for life’.”- Adoniram Judson

Young and in love, Adoniram and Ann Judson set sail for India two weeks after saying “I do”. They chose to relocate to Burma after agreeing that the unreached in Burma needed them more, thus making them the first foreign missionaries in that country. Upon arrival, they had already experienced two great losses; the loss of their firstborn daughter (stillborn birth) and their 8-month-old son (illness). However, their faith was not shaken, and they continued to pursue their calling to reach the unreached. The Judson’s felt that to successfully share the gospel, the Burmese needed the gospel in their language. Adoniram took on the challenge of translating the Bible into Burmese, which is still used today.

The War

“ I never realized what a great privilege it is to be able to use the voice for Christ until I was deprived of it.”- Adoniram Judson.

In 1824, war broke out between Britain and Burma. All Western men were accused of being British spies, including Adoniram. Dragged from his home, Adoniram was imprisoned for 2 years, leaving behind his pregnant wife Ann. Out of her love and devotion for her husband, Ann would walk miles daily with her newborn baby to bring Adoniram food and water. Adoniram hungered and thirsted for something more. Adoniram asked Ann to bring him the translations of scripture and Ann was able to sneak it in by sewing it into a pillow. Even in prison, Adoniram wanted to complete his mission of bringing hope to the Burmese. Eventually, Adoniram was released with the condition that he would work for the king as a translator.

Suffering After The War

“If I had not felt certain that every trial was ordered by infinite love and mercy, I could not have survived my accumulated sufferings.” - Adoniram Judson

Ann grew ill shortly after her husband’s release. The constant travel to see her husband in prison weakened her body and immune system, and she died of smallpox. Six months later, the Judson's third child would die. The loss of his family was too much for Adoniram to bear. What was the purpose of all of this? He contemplated leaving but chose to relocate to the jungle where he could be alone. After 40 days, he returned to civilization and continued the work he first started.

Adoniram remarried two more times and continued his work to translate the Bible until he died in 1850.

The Legacy We Leave Behind

“The future is as bright as the promises of God”- Adoniram Judson.

The Judsons’ lives were not easy, but they left behind a lasting legacy. Because of his and Ann's faithfulness and desire to reach the unreached, 8,000 people in Burma became Christians and over 100 churches were planted. Today, Burma has the largest Baptist population in Asia because of the Judson's obedience. Missions are not glamorous or easy, but rather pouring your life out. The Judsons so greatly represent the heart of this blog as they were simple people who despite hardship and suffering for their entire time in Burma, felt it was worth it for even one to know Christ.

We must not forget the cost of being a missionary. Today, there are couples and individuals like the Judsons who are facing persecution, loss, and frustration and desperately need your prayers. This week, let our challenge be to pray for the spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental needs of missionaries in the unreached.

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