James Hudson Taylor was a British missionary born 21 May, 1832. He is known as the founder of China Inland missions, an organisation that was instrumental in the spread of the gospel in China. James Hudson Taylor is the definition of someone who truly desired to preach Christ where he had not been named. He was instrumental in drawing the attention of many as the father will call to the ripe harvest in China.
Below are few lessons we can learn from the life of James Hudson Taylor
1. Preparation is good
Never underestimate the power of preparation. It is true that God prepares us but we must avail ourselves when He prompts us. After God called James Hudson to China, he yielded and started preparing himself, spirit, soul and body. He was a slim person in stature but to prepare himself he started exercising. He read books about China and started a self study of their language. Above that, he spent hours studying the word, reading testimonies of men of faith. He understood that he will have to depend on God to travel through unopened provinces of China when he finally gets to the field so he learnt early to lean on and trust in God. An account of his life tells a story of how he refused to remind his employer that his salary was due to be paid because he wanted to to learn how to depend on God
2. There is power when we pray with faith
The power of prayer cannot be overemphasized. And here I’m talking about prayer as fellowship, communion, partnership, that prayer that is accompanied by FAITH and total reliance on God that is able to do!!! That is the actual effectual fervent prayer of the righteous. This was one of keys to the enormous success seen in the life of James Hudson Taylor. I realised that he had learnt to take things to God in prayer no matter how little it seemed. Whether it’s in matter of provision, protection, direction in ministry of even emotions. He knew how to use the power of prayer accompanied by faith. He knew how to use these two weapons to push boundaries, disrupt societal norms and advance the Kingdom. He strikes me as one of the people Paul told us to emulate Hebrews 6:12, those who through faith and patience inherited the promise.
3. God is always faithful
Yes, over and over again. The Champion of the host always leads us into assured victory. It’s always worth it. Many missionaries were raised both among foreigners (British and American) and among Chinese indigenes. Christ was preached where he had not been named!!!…in the interior and rural parts of China. The bible was translated into Mandarin, the Chinese experienced the outpouring of the Holy spirit. Infact CIM (China Inland mission) still exists till today but as Overseas Missionary Fellowship International and still focuses on reaching East Asia’s unreached people.
There are so many lessons to be learnt from the life of James Hudson Taylor. Another is how well he emulated the verse ; be all things to all men to save some (1 Corinthians 9:22). A biography gives an account of how he shaved the front of his hair and wore long plaited queue as was the custom of the Chinese in those days.
The question to us today is what can we learn as individuals from all that has been said. Can I as an individual submit myself to the Holy Spirit so he prepares me for the work ahead? Can I yield to him to the point that I jump when he says without giving excuses? Can I put the the power of prayer and faith to test once again and demand for my own inheritance?…trusting till I see the faithfulness of God manifest in the form that my physical eyes can see.
May the Lord help us and give us more understanding in Jesus name, Amen.
Written by Sis Oluwaseun Ogundare (Team Watchmen)