What would it be like if God asked you to give up some of the excess "things" that you have? The things that aren't really necessary for your daily life?
Hudson Taylor, a missionary to China, did just that for the Lord. He went above and beyond everything God asked, and His close and intimate relationship with the Lord was proof of that. Hudson knew God was calling him to China. In preparation for the hardships to come, he gave up his soft feather bed for hard, bare boards. He gave away many things that weren't essential, however I'm sure enjoyable, to his life. He began a strenuous exercise program in the cold, to prepare his body for the task at hand. Hudson translated words from the Chinese bible into English, and learned Chinese all on his own. He lived on a diet of 1 loaf of bread and 2 apples a day because money was tight, in order to pay for proper medical training to go to China.
He didn't just do the bare minimum. He gave God His best, his first fruits, his everything. Reading through his biography and the story of his life is inspiring. It's amazing to think of all he did for the Lord. This full-fledged obedience to Christ was not momentary. He was in it for life. Quite honestly, our life is not for anything else besides serving God. Hudson Taylor found the true meaning and purpose of life. That man found true blessing and joy in life, through obedience to the Lord.
Sometimes it's good for me to give myself a wake up call. It is wrong of me to get too attached to my worldly "stuff". Because that's all it is; just stuff. I always have to be okay without those things, because they are fleeting and not worth all my attention.
Matthew 5:19-20 says: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
God didn't give me breath and life of this earth to enjoy my iPod and new clothes. Those things do not last. Clothes wear out, fade, and rip. iPods break, fall into toilets... (maybe happened to me.... :P) or there is just something "newer" and "better". As nice and fun as those things may be, it's not where our true treasures are. Our treasures come from a life abandoned and surrendered to Christ. A life truly lived for His glory. I'm trying to make a concerted effort to not put so much worth and focus on such worldly things. Satan wants nothing more than to slip into our lives and make us discontent with stuff that doesn't matter. Turn your focus to Christ. Make an effort obey Him in everything. In doing that, we will all live the same kind of blessed life as Hudson Taylor; a life that radiates obedience and glory to God.
In His Love,
Jessica
No comments:
Post a Comment