Southwestern Union Record

As Adventists, the thought of ministry or outreach is not a foreign idea or concept. In fact, we are taught acts of kindness at a young age, acts such as giving away clothes, toys, and food to those in need, singing to the elderly, making pretty cards for the sick, or cleaning someone’s yard. As we grow, our ideas get bigger. We cook meals for the family that lost a loved one, clean the home of some who is bedridden, or perhaps mow the lawns of those who cannot do it for themselves. Some even fly across the world to positively impact the lives of others. We send an army of volunteers to build a church for those worshipping under a tree, or a medical team to meet their health needs.

It is easy to look beyond our borders for a chance to make a difference, and we often forget how much we can do here at home. There are churches within the Texas Conference that share a pastor. There are some churches that have watched kids come and go, and now long for a young face to grace them with a smile, a song, a sermon, a testimony, or just a chat.

Those who are filled with the love of God have a way of bringing a breath of fresh air to an old, musty church. They have a way of inspiring those who have lost hope and are perhaps stuck in a rut in their religious experience. They can be the spark that reignites one’s love for the Savior. As we look around us, we find the needy, the disoriented, pregnant teens who need big sisters, at-risk young men who need father figures, or young people who have gotten lost in educational circles—who need common folk like ourselves to take a little time to give much-needed direction about the core values and principles of life.

Notice the words of the servant of the Lord: “All who are consecrated to God will be channels of light. God makes them His agents to communicate to others the riches of His grace. Our influence upon others depends not so much upon what we say, but what we are. Men may combat and defy our logic, they may resist our appeals, but a life of disinterested love is an argument they cannot turn away. A consistent life, characterized by the meekness of Christ, is a power in the world” (Christian Service, p. 21).

It is encouraging to see the youth of this generation committed and enthusiastic about service to others and their communities. It was prophesized in the Old Testament that prior to the return of our Lord, many would have hearts that would be led by the Spirit to minister to those in need—psychologically, emotionally, physically, and of course, spiritually.

This nation is dying socially and spiritually. An active presence that addresses both aspects is desperately needed. Could it be that the Lord of the Harvest is calling out to us to respond to that call of duty? Perhaps the phrase “The fields are white and ripe with the harvest,” covers much more than simply those who hunger and thirst for the Word of God. Perhaps it includes those who hunger and thirst for humanity’s care, for a helping hand, for an encouraging word along the mundane paths of everyday life. We, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, who believe ourselves to be God’s chosen people, a royal priesthood, must find our way into God’s plan to reach the brokenhearted and struggling; to bring comfort and joy into the lives of so many that surround us. The end approaches—there isn’t much time left. Let’s use it to make a difference every day, wherever we are, whatever we’re doing—let’s be His hands and His feet. Let’s be His channels of light.