Second Choice - Gladys Aylward

1902–70

That courageous missionary to China, Gladys Aylward, described herself as “insignificant, uneducated and ordinary in every way.” She was amazed that God could use her, but he did.

Gladys spent sixteen years in China, during one of that country’s most turbulent times. The inn she ran soon became an orphanage, and she worked in many other ways for the good of her neighbors. It was a time of growing suspicion toward Westerners, but Gladys immersed herself in Chinese culture, even becoming a citizen. After Japan invaded China in 1938, she stood with the Chinese and suffered with them. There are reports that Gladys even did some spying for her adopted country. In advance of one invasion, she led one hundred orphans across the mountains to safety.

This was incarnate faith. Gladys spoke freely about Jesus, but she is remembered for her sacrificial actions. Her Christlike actions. One local leader said he was converting to Christianity in her honor. Was he convinced of the truth of the gospel by her persuasive preaching? No, he saw Christ in her actions.

With the Communist revolution brewing, Gladys Aylward had to return to England in 1948. After repeated efforts to move back to the Chinese mainland, in 1958 she finally moved to Taiwan, where she started another orphanage and served until her death in 1970. The 1958 movie The Inn of the Sixth Happiness made her a minor celebrity, but she hated the limelight.

Looking back on her life, Gladys made a curious comment: “I wasn’t God’s first choice for what I’ve done for China. There was somebody else. . . . I don’t know who it was—God’s first choice. It must have been a man—a wonderful man. A well-educated man. I don’t know what happened. Perhaps he died. Perhaps he wasn’t willing. . . . And God looked down . . . and saw Gladys Aylward.”

As she saw it, she was just filling in. The perfect missionary was out there, but unavailable. As a replacement, Gladys didn’t have much to offer—except everything.

Whatever God is asking you to do, there’s no use complaining that you’re not perfectly suited to the task. Maybe you’re God’s second choice, or third. It doesn’t matter how brilliantly you preach or teach or sing or lead or whatever. Just be the face of Christ in that place.

The Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.

John 1:14