He had a blessed ministry.  Multitudes came to Christ, great numbers of churches were planted, and hundreds surrendered to serve on the mission field.  There is no doubt that Hudson Taylor, missionary to China, was a man mightily used by God.  However, as I’ve once again read his story, there’s something else that is just as certain.  He suffered great trials and heartache as well.  Incredible hardships were the norm, and at times I wonder, “How did he keep going?”  Well, the answer is relatively simple.  In the mid 1870’s Hudson Taylor wrote, “Never has our work entailed such real trial or so much exercise of faith.”  He went on to mention great burdens, “crushing” ones he called them.  And then he says this: “But the Lord bears us and them too, and makes our hearts so very glad in Himself – not Himself plus a bank balance – that I have never known greater freedom from care and anxiety.”  Did you catch that?  “Himself – not Himself plus….”  What a difference it makes when we get to the place where our joy and rest are exclusively in Christ and we echo the words of Habakkuk the prophet when he wrote, “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:17-18).  I’m sure today that your joy is in Christ, but it may be Christ plus _______ (fill in the blank).  Take the “plus” out of the equation.  May your joy be tied to Christ alone; that way, it will always be there.  Something good to remember this Thanksgiving season and beyond!