Pg. 211
Eric Liddell’s 1938 annual report.
“HAPPINESS is to have enough for the day’s needs with always some to spare for those who have not.
IT is to possess the love of friends and to have the knowledge that all is well with them.
IT IS TO LIVE IN PEACE WITH ALL MEN.
HAPPINESS is to have the strength to face with courage all that the day may bring.
IT is to cherish the gift of laughter, to be quick to note all that is lovely and of good report.
HAPPINESS is to find our joy in common things of life for so will youth abide in our hearts till the end of our days.
Thank God for the gift of happiness.”
This is written during Northern China (where Eric is) under occupation by Japan. In the same report, Eric included a baptism of two candidates at Hsin Chi when Japanese artillery shells were raining down on the town. Then Japanese soldiers came in truckloads and search through the town. A trying time indeed. Yet despite all the ‘difficulties’, Eric still rejoice and delight in the Lord. Sometimes I think some of my concern in life (jobs, work, what to do next few years etc.) are trivial compare to what these missionaries are going through.
I am into the last few chapters of the book. Definitely a great read.
One more quote I picked up from Eric:
“We are all missionaries. We carry our religion with us, or we allow our religion to carry us. Wherever we go, we either bring people nearer to Christ, or we repel them from Christ. We are working for the great Kingdom of God”
