A WORD FOR TODAY, March 5, 2026
Peggy Hoppes
We pray you have been blessed by this daily devotion. If you received it from a friend, you can see other devotions and studies by visiting our website at www.awordfortoday.org.
Blessings. Peg
A WORD FOR TODAY, March 5, 2026
“He spoke a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the best seats, and said to them, ‘When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the best seat, since perhaps someone more honorable than you might be invited by him, and he who invited both of you would come and tell you, “Make room for this person.” Then you would begin, with shame, to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes, he may tell you, “Friend, move up higher.” Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.’” Luke 14:7-11, WEB
Ingrid Bergman starred in a film called “Inn of the Sixth Happiness.” This film was a Hollywood version of the life story of a real English woman named Gladys Aylward. While some people seek out the fame and fortune that can come from this type of attention, Gladys was embarrassed by the movie. The story was inaccurate and she felt the love scenes ruined her reputation. Even more so, Gladys did not need, nor want, such fame. She was a simple woman who served God with her whole self.
Gladys was born in 1903. She was the daughter of a mailman. She left school early because of a learning disability and became a parlor maid in rich west end London manors. She grew up in the church, but one day she attended a revival and rededicated her life to the Lord. She applied to the board of the China Inland Mission when she learned about the need for missionaries to go to China. She failed the test and was rejected. However, she learned that there was an aging missionary named Mrs. Lawson who was looking for a younger woman to continue her work. Gladys wrote to Mrs. Lawson who responded in agreement if she could find her own way to China.
Gladys took her purse and emptied it onto her bed. Two pennies fell onto her Bible. She said, “O God, here’s my Bible! Here’s my money! Here’s me! Use me, God!” She was rejected and poor, but at the lowest moment of her life she was still willing to serve God.
She worked hard to save her money and eventually had enough to take a train to China. It was a hazardous way to travel because of an undeclared war between Russia and China, yet Gladys did not care. She was so determined to accomplish her mission that she traveled on train, boat, foot, bus and mule to the inland city of Yangchen and her mentor Mrs. Lawson.
The locals refused to listen to the two women because they did not trust foreigners. They decided the best way to reach out would be to open an inn for the mule traders that passed by frequently. They opened and waited for the first caravan to pass. Gladys ran to the lead mule, grabbed the reigns and led the train into the courtyard. The mules followed willingly knowing that it meant food and drink and the muleteers had no choice. Gladys and Mrs. Lawson fed the animals and offered hospitality to the men. They fed their bodies and their souls as they preached the Gospel to their captive audience. In the days and weeks to come, they did not need to force anyone into their home; the stories of their graciousness and the affordable inn spread. Though their preaching did not convert all to Christianity, the stories they told were shared by all those who visited.
Gladys continued the inn for a time after Mrs. Lawson died. In 1936, she became a Chinese citizen and was able to preach the Gospel to more people. She was a frequent visitor to the palace of the Mandarin and was given a very important position in the government. She settled a prison riot by offering suggestions for prison reform. She adopted several children. She lived frugally and dressed like the natives, which made her far more effective. When war broke out between China and Japan, Gladys helped one hundred orphans escape to Sian. After a bout of sickness, she established a Christian church in Sian and continued her work throughout China. Finally, her war wounds were too much, and she returned home to England in 1947. She died in 1970, one of the most famous missionaries of the twentieth century.
Gladys was given the name Ai-weh-deh, which means ‘the virtuous one’ in Chinese. She was known for her brokenness, her humility, and her willingness to serve God. She once said, “I wasn’t God’s first choice for what I’ve done in China. There was somebody else. I don’t know who God’s first choice was. I don’t know what happened. Perhaps he died. Perhaps he wasn’t willing. And God looked down and saw Gladys Aylward.”
Jesus reminds us to humble ourselves. Gladys did exactly that, humbled herself in her brokenness and gave herself fully to God. God took this woman who had been rejected by the world and used her to preach the Gospel to many people in China. Have you given yourself fully to God? Have you given Him everything you own, and willingly stepped forth in faith to serve Him? Humble yourself and God will lift you up, just like Gladys.
A WORD FOR TODAY is posted five days a week – Monday through Friday. The devotional on Wednesday takes a look at the scripture from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday. A WORD FOR TODAY is posted on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Word-for-Today-Devotional/339428839418276.