An examination on the life of Hudson Taylor, especially
spotlighting on time spent prior to the missionary field, enlightens future
missionaries on how they must shape and discipline themselves. It can be clearly declared that what we do and
how we ought to be in our own country are bound to be reflected on the mission
works in unreached countries, regardless of where we go as missionaries. In
this context, it is explained that Hudson Taylor voluntarily trained himself to
evangelize people and make them disciples of Jesus. Hunnex states that “[Taylor]
was convinced that he must be a soul-winner at home before he could become one
abroad.”[1]
As the staff of the organization called InterCP, which is deeply focusing on
the missional work in unreached areas, I believe that what Hudson Taylor
regularly did prior to the missional activity in China should be emphasized. I
have observed that many Christians become inspired when hearing the live
testimonials from missionaries who pioneered church planting and experienced
the kingdom of God. And after hearing these testimonials, some individuals determine
to become missionaries themselves. But, many of them fail to live a missional
life in the environment where they originally from. Obviously, Hudson Taylor
acknowledged that the nature of mission, in other words church planting and
making disciples, should be established and achieved from the privileged
countries.
Secondly,
the discipline of adapting oneself to the lower standard of living should be
achieved prior to the arrival of unreached countries. Hunnex says “ boarding himself meant that eventually
oatmeal, rice, and brown bread formed the greater part of his diet, and he was
surprised at how little he could live upon.”[2]
Taylor’s efforts of changing life patterns provided him with substantial
advantages, not to speak of optimal adjustment for inconvenience which was
frequently encountered in China. While exercising alternative patterns of life
and probable hardships, it seems to me that his commitment to minimum
consumption highly affected his spiritual formation with the acquisition of
piety and holiness. Essentially, what Hudson Taylor did should be exercised
upon various cultures that are rampant with consumerism, materialism and
worship of money which even influence and tempt many Christians into mistaking
materialist blessing as God’s blessing. For Taylor, when all kinds of cultural
influences and life styles shaped by his environment were conquered through the
gradual achievement of baptismal process, which is the cleansing of sin and
being clothed in Jesus Christ, he experienced the authentic blessing and could
wrap himself around the acknowledgement of God. It is believed that Hudson
Taylor experienced the spiritual growth at his early stage before leaving for
China and seemed that he could acquire the depth of spirituality. In reality, many
Christians may seem pious but do not seek the supreme joy found in God’s Word
and prayer. The position one holds within the Church or the manner they serve within
the church does not necessarily bring people to the presence of God. If
so-called pious Christians fail to experience the supreme enjoyment in reading
biblical scriptures and praying to God, they may end up being off track of
remaining righteous missionaries, even if their passions for the lost souls are
ignited. Howard states,
“for there were ups and downs as
with most young Christians, and neglect of prayer and of feeding on God’s Word
always brings coldness of heart. But the outstanding thing about Hudson Tylor’s
early experience was that he could not be satisfied with anything less than the
best, God’s best-the real and constant enjoyment of His presence.”[3]
Thirdly, Hudson Taylor disciplined
himself to be accustomed to be waiting until God initiated. Based on the
description of various occasions and events he experienced before the arrival
of China, it is evident that “man may be moved, through God, by prayer alone.”[4]
Even the utilization of human free will can be accepted when it is not intended
to satisfy the sinfulness. Hudson Taylor liked to see how God responded to his
many situations. Perhaps, at the encounters of substantial numbers of
unscripted situations he met in China, his acquired attitude presumably enabled
him to respond with patience and calmness while not losing any confidence and
trust in God. From my analytical view on Hudson Taylor’s pious patience, he
seemed to discipline the shift from self-centered to God-centered. His practice
of exercising the patience is a good model to imitate and clearly reveals the challenging
obstacles or areas that those who are involved with works of God often face or
struggle with. Unfortunately, it is likely to see the increasing numbers of
God’s people who do God’s work for themselves, not for God only.
Putting all these three
characteristics together, in order for future missionaries to end up being
respectful disciples of Jesus Christ, it is very evident that there is a need
to follow in Hudson Taylor’s steps. Furthermore, what he did and how he lived
in his country before arriving in China as a missionary should be more
emphasized than determining to become certain type of missionary. Due to the
involvement at the mission organization, I have heard considerable amounts of examples
of missionaries failing or spiraling out of unpreparedness and being
unequipped. But, apart from the preparation and the equipment, the most
preliminary element seems to be getting deeper and deeper in savoring who He
is. Although many types of mission training programs and curriculums are to be
established, all these processes and qualifications do not necessarily
guarantee applicants for the expansion of kingdom of God to become qualified
for the entrance of the narrow gate. Many future applicants for mission,
including me, should walk, live and breathe with Him. Everything else is a
secondary concern. Ultimately, Hudson Taylor was a successful man of God before
he was remembered and respected in the history of Christianity.
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