My eyes could not keep back the tears as they fell freely from reading another precious life story that was radically surrendered for the cause of the Gospel and missions. In my finite mind, I tried to understand how a young woman at seventeen would think of such a way to surrender her life to the one who gave it. Young as she was, her mind was focused on the things of the Lord instead of the things that would fit her as a teenage girl. I could hardly grasp how she took a big leap of faith to the uncertainties of a missionary life when the crowd’s opposition prevailed.
On these days where it is hard to find women who are making great impacts for Christ, it is such a relief and encouragement to come across the story of this woman whose name is forever be remembered, not maybe in the contemporary world that we live in today, but by the heathens who came to know the saving knowledge of Christ because of her great work.
Exchanging Worldly Pleasures for Lasting Service
When I was in my teenage years, I could hardly think of God. Though, I became so religious, the thought of love for God, service through missions and church never came across my mind. For me, just merely going to church to pray and see friends was enough to express my gratitude to the Lord. Not with Anne Hasseltine Judson (who became a missionary to the Burmese people in the 1800’s where it was rare to have women missionaries) who has a mind that revealed a heart that longed to know God and be used by the Him. In her journal, she wrote:
“I am this day seventeen years old. What an important year has the past been to me. Either I have been made, through the mercy of God, a partaker of divine grace, or I have been fatally deceiving myself, and building upon a sandy foundation. Either I have, in sincerity and truth, renounced the vanities of this world, and entered the narrow path which leads to life, or I have been refraining them for a time only, to turn again and relish them more than ever. God grant that the latter may never be unhappy case! Though I feel myself to be full of sin and destitute of all strength to persevere, yet if I know anything, I do desire to lead a life of strict religion, to enjoy the presence of God and honor the cause to which I professed devoted myself. I do not desire my portion in this world. I find more real enjoyment in contrition for sin, excited by a view of the adorable moral perfections of God, than in all earthly joys. I find more solid happiness in one evening meeting, where divine truths are impressed upon my heart by the divine influences of the Holy Spirit, than I ever enjoyed in all the balls and assembles I have attended during the seventeen years of my life. Thus, when I compare my present views of divine things with what they were, at this time last year, I cannot but hope I am a new creature, and have begun to live a new life.”
It was Anne’s wisdom and love for the Lord that led her to ponder and realize that her life was made new, and it was meant to surrender for Him. In her young mind, the Lord’s purpose in her was already imprinted. It was not that she did not dream of dreams nor experienced the pleasures that the world has to offer. But her heart was set for the eternal things above and her life was set apart to glorify God through her great testimony of complete surrender to the will of God despite the foreseen hardships and dangers.
Yes, the world offers temporary pleasures that we may enjoy, but there is more to this life than what we see. For us women to make a difference, like her, we must make an impact through the service and testimony that we portray.
Courage to Step into the Unknown
When Anne decided to be a missionary in India together with her husband, many people did not agree with this idea, including her family. She was too young then, but her heart has set this journey expecting to trade her comfortable life with many perils, countless sorrows, and unexpected afflictions as she chose to glorify God by proclaiming His salvation. It sounded foolishness to people who knew her and thought that she could still do more rather than be in the mission field. However, she took courage to go against the crowd to respond to her calling.
When I think of my life and the walk that I have for the Lord, I wonder if I am making an impact for Christ. Though, I have always dream of making a difference in life, my worldly reservations would always keep me from moving ahead. I am entangled with “what ifs” and “how abouts” of the future. My mind is always battling with the thought of surrendering my life instead of owning it. Thank God that every time I come to this point, great women of the faith such as Mary Slessor, Catherine Booth, Gladys Alyward, Corrie ten Boom, Amy Carmichael, and Elizabeth Elliot never fail to encourage me. I wish I also had the courage to step out of faith for the eternal cause that they have carried.
Strength to Persevere
There are women in my life whom I considered courageous and strong in the faith. However, I could not point anyone whom I can compare with this woman. When she married Dr. Judson, right away, they sailed to India (before Burma) to start the mission to reach these Indian people. Her life was not centered on how blessed she was in her missionary journey, nor how happy she was with her husband, nor how successful they were in the mission. But her account was centered on the perilous times that they had as they tried to preach the gospel to those people. The more she experienced hardships and suffering when they were in Burma, the more she persevered despite the cost. Her husband, for how many times, almost die and even pleaded for him to be released from prison. Her first born, due to undernourishment and sickness died. The persecutions that they received were almost unbearable. Of all the ill-tidings that she needed to go through, like what the people around her would be telling, she remained gracious and the radiance of her countenance never faded out. It was the radiance that can only be attained when life is totally controlled by the Creator of heaven and earth.
With all of these, she never failed to see the urgency of the Gospel and the Lord’s hands in their lives. Such an amazing faith that was tested by time and circumstances. Her life was not long, but the short span of years that she lived made an impact for God.
In her memoir, it was sweetly stated “it will be cherished in the churches of Burmah, when the pagoda of Gaudama shall have fallen; when the spires of Christian temples, shall glean along the waters of the Irrawaddy and the Salwen; and when the Golden City shall have lifted up her gates to let the King of Glory in.” How great it was for her to be remembered because of what she did for the sake of Christ.
Anne Judson is indeed a great encouragement for us women who have chosen to walk the path that God has intended for us. She is an epitome of a sanctified life surrendered fully for the Lord’s disposal.
While reading her short biography, I learned that there is a big difference between a life genuinely surrendered to the Lord and a life that is seemingly surrendered to Him. Anne ‘s professed faith was testified by her love for God through the fruit that she bore while she lived on earth.
Photo: ctto
Biography: https://www.wholesomewords.org/missions/bjudsonann5
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