A Man of Prayer and Faith

Today, I began reading this excellent autobiography of a man who had a tremendous impact upon China. As the founder of the China Inland Mission, Hudson Taylor was called of God at an early age to make preparations for a lifetime of service in a country that in the 19th century seemed remote and unreached. And yet, by faith he determined within himself to go and be obedient to the Lord. The early revelation he received was "that the work of God does not mean so much man's work for God, as God's own work through man" (p. 8).

He went on to write that "we should never lose sight of the higher aspect of our work - that of obedience to God, of bringing glory to His name..." (p. 8). From a lifetime of service to our King, Taylor will always be remembered as "a man of prayer, faith, and likeness to Christ beyond the normal" (p. 5). I am struck by these words, "beyond the normal." We are familiar with so-called normal Christianity, but what about beyond the normal? What a challenge, to press on to be more like Christ than what the current status quo expects.

You can purchase this fine little book from www.amazon.ca for $8.75 Canadian. What a bargain!