Do you ever get discouraged in your walk of following Jesus? Hudson Taylor definitely did.
Here’s a look into a dark chapter of his life in China and how God showed up in a powerful way – and more importantly gave Hudson a look at the bigger picture.
During his early days in Shanghai, Hudson witnessed the cruelty of war and the people’s suffering. He felt frustrated because the language barrier prevented him from sharing the Gospel. The severe cold and unheated house were so unbearable his hands and feet were numb and he couldn’t work. Being the first missionary sent out by the Chinese Evangelization Society, with their inexperience, Hudson felt isolated, lacked financial support, and was caught in life-threatening military skirmishes.
On the night of October 18, 1854, Hudson reached the low point of his life. Having gone to bed late, around 2:45 am, he was suddenly awakened to see a fire moving toward his house. Hurriedly putting on his clothes, he prayed to the Lord for help and climbed up on the roof of his frame house. The strong wind was blowing the fire ever closer. Amazingly, at that very moment, it started to rain. His heart was filled with unspeakable gratitude. Meanwhile, a shell struck the roof of a house on the opposite side.
The next day, at 22 years of age, only 222 days after arriving in China, and with his world in such turmoil, Hudson penned a letter to his sister Amelia at around 4:00 am. In it he described the joy of having a glimpse of God’s glory.
Recalling those days many years later, he said, “The cold, even the hunger, the times of watching, the sleepless nights of danger, and the feelings I had when I was alone and helpless were chosen well and wisely. They were tenderly and lovingly handed out. What else could have made God’s Word seem that sweet? Or His presence so real? Or His help so precious? They were times of emptying and humbling. But I wasn’t ashamed of those experiences. They strengthened my purpose to go forward as God directed, with His proven promise, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”
May we all take heart as we face challenging circumstances! Praise God for His presence with us.
Source: Irene Chang, et al (editors), Christ Alone. A Pictorial Presentation of Hudson Taylor’s Life and Legacy, OMF Hong Kong, 2005.
