For the last little while, I along with the other elders in my church have been reading through the inspirational classic, Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret. From his early life in England, through the founding of the China Inland Mission, to reaching millions of lost Chinese for Christ, Hudson Taylor's life was one of profound faith that brought great glory to God. Taylor's legacy lives on in the hearts and experiences of those who discover his "spiritual secret."
What was his secret? It was "drawing for every need, temporal or spiritual, upon 'the fathomless wealth of Christ.'" The book basically guides the reader through Hudson's many trials, the stretching of his faith, his spiritual wrestlings, fears, circumstances, and opportunities. We see that he was "a man with a nature like ours" (James 5:17), subject to all the common experiences, challenges, and disappointments of life. Yet what made Hudson so different from most Christians is that he really believed the promises of God and drew upon his riches in Christ for everything in life. He not only trusted God, but he also treasured God above all else and wanted His will - nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.
It's amazing to see how this governing principle for Hudson Taylor's life played out in the Lord's provision of a wife. Upon coming to China with her family, Maria met Hudson,
who impressed her as having longings like her own after holiness, usefulness, nearness to God. He was different from others - not more gifted or attractive, though he was bright and pleasing and full of quiet fun, but with a something about him that made her feel rested and understood. He seemed to live in such a real world and to have such a real, great God. Though she saw but little of him it was a comfort to know that he was near, and she was startled to find how much she missed him [when he had to leave, and how joyful she was when he returned]....Perhaps it was this that opened her eyes to the feeling with which she was beginning to regard him. At any rate she soon knew and with her sweet true nature did not try to hide it from her own heart and God. There was no one else to whom she cared to speak about him, for others did not always see in him what she saw. They disliked his wearing Chinese dress, and did not approve of his making himself so entirely one with the people. His Chinese dress - how she loved it! or what it represented, rather, of his spirit.
Hudson was drawn to her as well. After a period of testing, praying, and waiting on the Lord, they "were openly engaged." A few days before he was to be wed to Maria, Hudson wrote in a note to his mother,
I have never felt in better health or spirits in my life.... God has been good to us. He has indeed answered our prayer.... Oh, may we walk with Him and serve Him more faithfully. I wish you knew my Precious One. She is such a treasure! She is all that I desire.
Then, six weeks later, he wrote:
Oh, to be married to the one you do love, and love most tenderly and devotedly . . . that is bliss beyond the power of words to express or imagination conceive. There is no disappointment there. And every day as it shows more of the mind of your Beloved, when you have such a treasure as mine, makes you only more proud, more happy, more humbly thankful to the Giver of all good for this best of earthly gifts.
Indeed. "Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD" (Proverbs 19:14).
As I consider this beautiful story from Hudson Taylor's life (and there is much more to it than space permitted me to share here), I am reminded of how important it is for me myself to rely on the Lord in every facet of life, and also as a parent to teach my children to do the same, especially when it comes to marriage. Specifically, I have come to see how important it is to emphasize the following:
- Who you are on the inside is much more important than what you look like on the outside.
- Seek the Lord, and let the Lord seek you a mate. Then you will truly be "a match made in heaven" and know the deepest joys of marital love.
- All things come to those who wait, provided you are waiting on the Lord and wanting only God's best!
May God help us to take these lessons to heart!