hudson taylor

I have finished Hudson Taylor's biography, it was excellent. But not because it was written so well or anything like that ... it's because He poured out his whole life to the Lord. Nothing was held back, not his wife, not his kids, nothing in his own life, not his own finances, sleep, time - all was given up - gladly to the Lord.

Here are some of the gems:

They would hear a match stuck (even after the most horrible days of travel or struggle) and see the flicker of candlelight which told that Mr. Taylor, however weary, was pouring over the Bible in 2 volumes always at hand. From 2 to 4 am was the time He usually gave to prayer; the time he could be most assured of being undisturbed to wait upon God.


Turning back, Mr Nichol could not help exclaiming " How can you whistle, when our friends are in so much danger?!" " Would you have me anxious and troubled? " was his quiet reply. " That would not help them, and would certainly incapacitate me for my work. I have just to roll the burden on the Lord."


He abideth faithful and cannot deny Himself. If we are really trusting in Him and seeking from Him, we cannot be put to shame.


Surrender to Christ he had long known, this was something more; this was a new yieldedness, a glad, unreserved handing over of self and everything to Him. It was no longer a question of giving up this or that if the Lord required it; it was a loyal and loving acceptance, a joyful meeting of His will in things little and great, as the very best that could be for His own. 


There is a needs-be for us to give ourselves for the life of the world. An easy non-self-denying life will never be one of power. Fruit-bearing involves cross-bearing. There are not 2 Christs  - an easy going one for easy going Christians, and a suffering, toiling one for exceptional believers. There is only one Christ. Are you willing to abide in Him and thus bear much fruit? 

Wow - and that is only some of it!
I am blown away by the faith God gave to this man.

How I long for such a faith yet feel so unprepared for the trial and suffering that come with it. I guess he was not prepared either ... but oh how he welcomed whatever came from the Lord - as gain. Even when his daughter died, then a son died, even when his wife and newborn child were taken by the Lord, he wept in joy. All was for His glory.