Watchman Nee

Posted by LisaV | 2 comments

I recently read a biography of an amazing Chinese Christian, of whom I had become acquainted only a few years ago when I started reading about Christianity in China, in books like David Aikman’s Jesus in Beijing and Safely Home by Randy Alcorn. Watchman Nee was referenced in those books, which led me to read one of his books called The Character of God’s Workman. I was impressed with his depth of spirituality written in simple terms that the average Christian could understand. However, I didn’t know much about Watchman’s life until I read this biography by Bob Laurent.

This biography is filled with Watchman’s teachings and writings, which I found amazing and inspiring. As a third generation Christian, Watchman’s spiritual depth is something I attain to but know I have not even remotely reached. He studied the Scriptures 30 different ways and devoted himself to prayer, preaching, and discipleship of believers.

He chose a life of poverty and suffered much heartache, disease, and false accusations in his lifetime. The book was heartbreaking to read at times, as he faced injustice over and over without saying a word. Asked why he never defended himself, Watchman replied,

“If people trust us, there is no need to explain; if people do not trust us, there is no use in explaining.”

Watchman’s words of wisdom are found throughout this book, including this truth: “Nothing hurts so much as dissatisfaction with our circumstances. God knows what He is doing and there is nothing accidental in the life of the believer. Nothing but good can come to those who are wholly His.”

In describing his conversion, the biography included this testimony:

“Previously, I had laughed at those who believed in the Lord, but that evening I could not laugh. Instead, I wept and confessed my sins. I prayed for the first time and had my first experience of joy and peace.” Furthermore, Watchman committed his life to Christ by stating, “He would deliver me not only from sin but also from the world.”

At the end of his life, Watchman would languish in a small prison cell, physically broken but still leading others to the Lord. It is interesting to note that Watchman never viewed his imprisonment as punishment for preaching the gospel but rather as a platform for the same.

What Watchman had preached so passionately to others was completely realized in his death:

“To what are we committed? Not to Christian work, but to the will of God, to be and to do whatever He pleases. The path of every Christian has been already marked out by God. Men go, but the Lord remains. God Himself takes away His workers, but He gives others. Our work suffers, but never His. He is still God.”

May our faith and commitment to God be strengthened by the example of godly men and women who have come before us.

Lisa (aka Morning Rose) has been teaching her two elementary-aged sons for four years and incorporating study, work, service, and play into their homeschooling days. She enjoys reading, writing, and photography and blogs publicly at Pockets of Time and privately at Scooter and B.