This was our last Newsletter to the residents of King Cove before leaving... mailed 23 September 2004
Today I was reminded of a conversation I had with a young man in September of 2002, only a few weeks before coming here to King Cove: “How do you know God wants you to go to Alaska?” he asked me.
I shrugged and replied, “I just know.”
I have had several conversations with this same young man in the past and he flatly admitted that he didn’t believe in God. He persisted in questioning me about my call to King Cove and I told him that he couldn’t understand. Then he wanted to know why he couldn’t understand. “Imagine trying to describe the color green to a blind person,” I said. He was a very bright and energetic college student; after a moment of thought, he admitted that it would be extremely difficult if not altogether impossible. “That’s why I can’t explain to you God’s calling upon my life,” I said. “How could you even consider having any concept of the workings of a Being that you’ve already decided doesn’t exist?
Most of you already know that Lisa and I are leaving King Cove. Why? We believe that God wants us to go. How do we know? We just do. Some folks might think that that just sounds downright silly. It’s not really, when you think about it. My lovely wife, Lisa, loves it when I go to the store with her. She doesn’t even care if I am right by her side when she’s shopping. She just loves to know that I went with her and that I’m in the store with her and that I’ll be going home with her when she’s finished shopping. Has she ever told me that? No, I just know. When you spend time with someone, you get to know what makes that person happy or sad, what makes one glad or mad, what lifts one up and brings one down. The same is true of God. When we spend time with Him, not spend time doing what we think He wants, but spend time with Him, we get to know Him.
One of the things Lisa and I have learned about God, especially as ministers of the gospel, is that our aim in life is not being useful or being a blessing or even being blessed. Our goal is our relationship with God. The way that it works is that when one has determined to give his or her life over to God, he will be useful and she will be a blessing to others and they will be blessed, but none of those things are ever the goal. The goal is God, Himself. When we maintain that perspective, life becomes a pure joy because we don’t have to worry about “did I do this right...” or “am I doing enough for this person...” or “am I coloring inside the lines...” All we have to concentrate on is being connected to God.
We love King Cove. We love all the people here, not just the ones that attend the chapel services, but everyone here? Why? Because God does. Love isn’t some warm gushy feeling that comes upon you just because... Love is a determined decision that says you’re important to me. The Bible says, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). God made a decision to provide for our salvation, i.e., our eternal benefit, regardless of how we’d respond to it. And the greatest demonstration of that love was His sending Jesus to die on our behalf.
Lisa and I are leaving King Cove on September 28th, 2 years to the very day I arrived. We believe that God loves the people of King Cove so much that He’s bringing an awesome ministry team here to replace us: Dr. Bob Welch and his wife, June. They’ve spent many years serving God in Alaska and look forward to serving Him here in King Cove. I know that the people of the friendliest village in America will bless them just as you will all be blessed by their service unto God and unto you.
God has a reason for moving us out and just because we don’t know all the details, it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t go. Remember, Jesus told His disciples that it was necessary that He go away (John 16:7). That’s what faith is all about, trusting Him because He’s God.
King Cove has been more of a home to us than anywhere we’ve ever lived. Thank you all. We will keep you posted as to what the Lord is doing in our lives. May the blessing of God, Himself, be yours in all things!
With Love, Pastor Jon Cardwell
