Irene experienced a restful day after an early morning dialysis treatment. Today was a day of coordinating logistics between doctor’s offices, UCSF and Long’s Drug Store. We did take another stroll this evening on the beach which has been good exercise for Irene’s legs.
The world would imply that only the exceptionally gifted, the sophisticated scholar and the most attractive and charismatic person are qualified for occupying a significant place of leadership and influence in the world. Scripture and my personal observation prove otherwise. I am impressed by Hudson Taylor’s walk with God and the impact he had in the world. Reed Jolley is a wonderful friend from Santa Barbara who spoke yesterday morning at Mount Hermon. He wrote a stirring article which follows, about the faith and suffering of Hudson Taylor. I hope it inspires you.
The Continuous Habit of the Soul: Hudson Taylor’s Secret in Suffering
Author: Reed Jolley
He was short, soft-spoken and shy. He didn’t believe he possessed great spiritual gifts and on more than one occasion referred to himself as God’s little servant. He was given to depression and melancholy and was called a madman by some who worked alongside him. One colleague called him the strangest looking man I have ever met. But it was through this little servant, James Hudson Taylor, that God brought the gospel to China.
English born Hudson Taylor (1832-1905) gave his life to Christ as a young adult and never looked back. By the time of his death he had served his Lord in China for almost 40 years. Along the way he founded the China Inland Mission, which during his lifetime grew to include 205 mission stations and over 800 missionaries. More than 125,000 Chinese met Christ through Taylor’s ministry before he died.
I have read two lengthy biographies on the life of Hudson Taylor — 11 years apart. Each was terribly exciting and each moved me deeply to a closer walk with God. The life of this pioneer missionary reads a bit like a Robert Ludlum novel. Taylor went where white people had never gone. He faced xenophobia, riotous crowds, natural disasters, political
