Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret

I have been reading as much as I can about China lately (Obviously!) and I decided I also wanted to read about missionaries to China.  Who better to start with than Hudson Taylor?  The book “Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret,” was already in my possession and even though I’ve read it before, I decided to read it again.  While re-reading, I discovered some very exciting truths about God and abiding while reading through his life. I HIGHLY recommend this book!  You can find it on Amazon for about $5 for the Kindle, or about $4 (used) on paperback.

Striving or Rest?

Hudson Taylor’s early life was characterized by striving. He was determined to go to China from an early age.  His whole aim while in school, and then his apprenticeship with a doctor, was to train to go to China.  He worked his entire young adult life working hard in furthering the gospel, first in Scotland and then finally in China. He founded “China Inland Missions” in 1865 and through his leadership it grew to be a major mission board, now known as OMF International.

Hudson Taylor’s secret to a spiritual life is one very much like the one Andrew Murray spoke about in The True Vine and Abide in Christ… a life that is so connected with Christ, the Christian rests and does not need to strive.

We strive so much as Christians.

We strive for holiness.
For patience.
We strive for joy.
For love.

Hudson Taylor’s “secret” – Andrew Murray’s “secret” – is not a secret. It is the truth found in John 15. 

Abiding in Christ is the key to resting and working. That is where the name of my blog came from. It is this balance that I try to have in my life: resting and working.

It’s About Balance

Resting in God and His continual power.
Working for God and bringing Him glory.

We rest in God and His power. In other words, our salvation and sanctification is dependent on God. God is the author of salvation and furthermore, He is the power behind our sanctification.
Moreover, we work for God to bring Him glory– we have work to do. There are commands in Scripture:
Be Holy.
Love your neighbor.
Pray without ceasing.
Meditate on God’s Word.

We cannot just “Let Go and Let God…”  God supplies the power. However, we must still do our part.  Most of our part is the day-to-day living and looking to Christ.

The Secret

Hudson Taylor learned later in his life this “spiritual secret.” For instance, he wrote to his children often, trying to explain to them the balance between resting and working.  He wanted them to learn it early. Although Taylor suffered many things for the gospel, he did not waiver in his devotion or ambition.  Early in his life, it was his own ambition and determination that kept him going through various trials such as lack of funds, riots, and persecution. 

Towards the end of his life, Taylor wrote about how resting in God was the real key to his devotion.  He writes that God showed him in His word how a sense of settled calm and joy can remain in one’s heart, even in the midst of hardships.  Later on, he experienced many hardships in life as well – with the loss of a daughter, son, and his wife.  However, others marveled that he continued to minister to those in China through it all.  He says that it wasn’t his ambition anymore than spurred him forward – but the calm assurance that the Almighty God would supply all his needs, including his spiritual needs.

 

You are Chosen

His testimony can be our testimony as well.  It is no “secret.” Hudson Taylor’s God is our God. Most importantly, Andrew Murray’s God is our God.  We need only to obey and surrender.  God will use our willing heart and give us the power to work. 

He has chosen us.

I Thessalonians 1:4 – “We know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that He has chosen you.”

What has God chosen you for?

To be a mother?
A wife?
To be a friend?
Serve in Sunday School?
To sing in the choir?
Love that neighbor?
To suffer through pain?
To face hardships?

Through it all… you are loved.

I would like Hudson Taylor’s “Spiritual Secret” to be my spiritual secret – only let it be a secret that nobody keeps!

Excerpt from“Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret” by Dr. and Mrs. Howard:

“A leader of the Church of Scotland said to Mr. Taylor:

‘You must sometimes be tempted to be proud because of the wonderful way God has used you. I doubt if any man living has had greater honor.’

‘On the contrary,’ was the earnest reply, ‘I often think that God has have been looking for someone small enough and weak enough for Him to use, and that He found me.'”

Sarah E. Frazer is a writer and Bible study mentor at sarahefrazer.com. She is the wife of Jason and mother of five who all serve as full-time missionaries in Honduras. Her passion is to encourage women to fall in love with the Bible. Sarah is the author of several Bible study resources for women. She shares tools for deep-rooted Bible study at sarahefrazer.com. Follow her on Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/sarah_e_frazer) and join her free prayer challenge at sarahefrazer.com/prayer