Make Me A Servant

Scriptures: “Not so with you. Indeed, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servants, and whoever wants to be first must be your slaves, just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28)

Ms. Gladys Aylward, a missionary from England to China in the first half of 20th century, was born of a working class family. Unlike many other Christian leaders, she did not have impressive scholastic background. As a matter of fact, she even failed the qualification examination of China Inland Mission and was denied the opportunity to be a missionary in China. Her financial situation was no help, either.

But, her commitment to respond to the calling of God to preach the good news of our Lord Jesus in China never wavered. When the door opened in 1932, with only her passport, bible, tickets and two pounds ninepence, she traveled across the continents of Europe and Asia, by way of Siberia, to go sharing the gospel in China. There she worked with Mrs. Lawson to share the gospel with the people. They noticed that Yangchen, the town they lived, was a stop where caravans stop for rest before moving further into their business trips. So, they repaired and refurnished the place they lived and made it an inn which they called “The Inn of Eight Happiness.”

It’s been told by many that they, more than providing really good quality inn facility for the travelers to eat and rest, they gathered their guests after dinner every night to tell the story about a man named Jesus. Many of the guests became Christians because of the story they heard. Many of them did not. But, whether or not they became Christians, they took the story and retold the story in all the places they went.

Later on, as China continued her modernization process, the traditional foot binding was finally officially forbidden. Gladys was summoned by the official to travel through villages in that region to ensure the enforcement of that law. This gave her great opportunities to deliver the good news of our Lord Jesus to the doors and hearts of many.

In a time of war and unrest, Gladys’ commitment to the calling she received never wavered. From an inn keeper to the “Foot Inspector”, from her involvement in resolving conflicts in prison riots to caring for orphans and wounded soldiers, this meek and virtuous woman of God not only walked into the community in that part of China, she also walked into their lives and hearts. Most importantly, she introduced Jesus to them. Somewhere during that process, Chinese people there, not known for their openness to foreigners, started to call her “Ai-Wei-Deh” which means “Virtuous One.”

After the Communist regime took over China, she went back to England to continue preaching the gospel. In 1958, she went to Taiwan and started an orphanage. She stayed there caring for and sharing the love in the good news of our Lord Jesus to those orphans until she died in 1970.

But her legacy did not die with her. Back in the 50’s, Hollywood decided to make a movie about her life called “The Inn of The Sixth Happiness” starred by Ingrid Bergman. Ingrid was deeply touched by Gladys’ life as she was going through the filming and desired to meet Gladys in person. But, Gladys did not want to because of the inaccuracies contained in the movie portraying her. It wasn’t until 1970 that the arrangement was finally made for Ingrid to meet Gladys. But, just days before Ingrid’s arrival in Taiwan, Gladys went home to be with the Lord. So, when Ingrid arrived at the orphanage, as Gladys co-worker in the orphanage introduced Ingrid to Gladys room, Ingrid was touched by the simplicity and power of Gladys life and broke in tears. Gladys co-worker seized the opportunity and shared the gospel of Jesus with Ingrid and she accepted Lord Jesus right there and then.

Years later, when Ingrid herself was struck with a cancer and facing death, she made a confession that her life before Christ, as glorious as it may seem to many, was a complete emptiness and that her life after meeting Christ was full and meaningful.
I heard Gladys’ story this weekend. It touched me deeply as I meditated on how God’s love and power can flow through someone who’s willing to humble before Him, willing to commit his / her life in its entirety to Him, and willing to serve Him and all His loved ones at all cost.

I often was given the opportunities to share the good news with non-believers. In many cases, the sharing often turned into debates and, even, arguments. As I reflect upon Gladys’ life and the way God has used her life for His own glory, I am beginning to realize that the power of the gospel lies primarily in the life of the teller of the good news. The story of the man named Jesus is simple. But the challenge to live the life of this man called Jesus is great. Yet, as great as the challenge, the key to overcome is a simple submission to His calling to live our lives His style, servant-like.

The song, “Make Me A Servant” has been one of my favorite songs. As I look at the beautiful example our Lord Jesus Himself has left, along with other many faithful servants of His, I pray that this song is my desire as well as yours:


Make Me A Servant

Make me a servant, humble and meek
Lord, let me lift up those who are weak
And may the prayer of my heart always be
Make me a servant, make me a servant
Make me a servant today!


Prayer Requests:
For more Gladys in our time and our communities, wherever they are.

Prayer:
Gracious Lord, thank You for coming to our midst so we may know You. Thank You for raising faithful servants like Gladys to share your story with people like us so we may come to be blessed with Your salvation. We pray that the Spirit that stirred and motivated Gladys also works in our hearts and lives and move us by Your leading so You may be exalted in our lives and that many may join us as children of our heavenly Father. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!