04/2021 Beyond Numb Hands and Hearts Page 10 Is It Time to Peel Some Potatoes? Page 23 God’s Flying Tire Page 28
Joy
10 Beyond Numb Hands and Hearts Gerald A. Klingbeil
12 Imperfect Joy
14 Facets of Joy
Wilona Karimabadi
Various Authors
16 Global View The Secret of Joy Ted N. C. Wilson 18 Devotional Praising God in Uncertain Times Tom Ogal 20 Faith in Action Getting Back on Track S. Joseph Kidder and Natalie Dorland 23 Millennial Voices Is It Time to Peel Some Potatoes? Frederick Kimani 24 Discovering the Spirit of Prophecy “I Saw the Lovely Jesus” Merlin D. Burt
26 Bible Questions Answered Resurrection and the Second Coming 27 Health & Wellness An Emotional Health Crisis 28 May I Tell You a Story? God’s Flying Tire 30 Growing Faith The Do-Good Box
Cover Image: Background: Maryna Yazbeck; Paper burst: Marat Musabirov / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
The House of Grace BY BILL KNOTT
“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit” (Ps. 51:12). Somewhere in that mist where childhood memories, family worships, and Scripture intersect, these words that my father frequently read to us from David’s penitential psalm still resonate. But at 5 years old, not everything is clear: how could you pray for joy restored unless you knew what joy already was? I assigned the anomalous couplet of Psalm 51 to a category of “things I’ll understand when I’m older.” Even then, I grasped the gnawing persistence of deserved guilt: I had argued with my brother; sullenly refused to share my toys; failed to do my few allotted chores. I was at fault, and everything in my childish heart longed for the knowledge of forgiveness. But joy—apparently some stable condition to which one could be “restored”—this seemed remote and inaccessible. And so it has seemed to millions of sincere believers in the centuries since the cross. We have assumed that joy would be the natural result when we were sure of divine forgiveness—as though the joy of God’s salvation was just a blackboard meticulously wiped clean of all our wretched scribbling. But emptiness and erasure are not themselves the things of joy. The familiar cycle of sin, remorse, confession, and forgiveness only brings us to the threshold of the gift for which the psalmist prayed. Too few of us have yet inhabited the joyful space prepared for us. We circle endlessly about the home where Jesus intends we should daily live, for He made His intentions clear: “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11). Forgiveness, crucial (cross-filled) as it is, doesn’t take us all the way to joy. We can step into the house of grace, built on a new and vital understanding of the Father’s essential benevolence toward us. The God who longs for us to one day live fully in the light of His presence invites us to a home where we are ever more assured of His deep affection for us—where we learn to trust His heart of love, and just how much He loves to heal. The words with which Ellen White begins and ends her majestic five-volume Conflict of the Ages series are still the signature of joy: “God is love.” Until we grow to believe the Father’s oft-repeated declaration about Himself, we live like wanderers instead of prodigals-come-home. The Christian’s joy—a maturing faith in the gift of righteousness given us in Jesus—will not be fully grasped at 5, or 15, or sometimes, even 50. It has in it the unrelenting embrace of unreserved love, and the security of knowing that the Father is always filling up our cup of happiness. As you explore this month’s edition, pray for awakenings—and joy—beyond what you have known. And stay in grace.
We believe in the power of prayer, and we welcome prayer requests that can be shared at our weekly staff worship every Wednesday morning. Send your requests to prayer@adventistworld.org, and pray for us as we work together to advance God’s kingdom.
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News Moment
Biology students Kaitlyn Mamora, background, and Caitlyn Pang work in La Sierra University’s virology lab earlier in the 2020-2021 school year. Led by virologist Arturo Diaz, the Adventist university has bolstered its COVID-19 detection efforts with the rollout of new, rapid-test equipment. Photo credit: Natan Vigna, La Sierra University
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News in Brief
How Are You “No student Currently Doing? should go to school hungry. Students should not sit in class with their stomachs growling. What better group of people to help than our students, who are doing their best and working to better themselves?” In the 2017-2018 Global Church Member Survey researchers asked, “Please imagine a ladder which represents your life from best to worst on a scale from 10 to 0. On which step of the ladder would you say you personally feel you stand at this time?” How would you respond today?
Source: 2017-2018 Global Church Member Survey, ASTR and Andrews University, n = 53,599.
Best
12.90%
10.48%
Media Bargaining Bill Name of a new bill of the Australian government, which proposes that big tech companies pay media companies for news content. In response to the bill, social media giant Facebook on February 18 blocked content in Australia that may be considered news, including groups such as the Bureau of Meteorology, the Australian Science Media Centre, among others, as well as Adventist media content involving Adventist Record and Signs of the Times. Negotiations between Facebook and the Australian government are ongoing.
21.10%
19.98%
—Judy Miles, recently retired adjunct professor of business at Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU), Keene, Texas, United States, who started and still runs a food pantry for SWAU students who are struggling financially.
From Wisconsin to Wyoming On January 26, 2021, the 2024 International Camporee Executive Advisory Committee voted a change of location from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to Gillette, Wyoming, in the United States for the 2024 “Believe the Promise” International Pathfinder Camporee to be held August 5-11, 2024. 4
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11.50%
13.28%
4.63%
2.67%
1.19%
0.86%
1.41% Worst
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Number of primary school children ages 6 to 9 taught since July 2020 by third-year university student Lili Pimentel and her family from their neighborhood in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico. Because of the lack of Internet access, many students dropped out of public schools when schools transitioned to virtual teaching. Lili studies communication and media sciences at Montemorelos University, while her parents are employees of the Adventistoperated Linda Vista University.
News in Brief
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“What touched me the most was that after so many months away from home, I found the money and the toothpaste just as I had left them. Picture It was something of God that instilled in me the desire to join the church of ‘24.’ ”
Number of women who have received medical help since 2013 at the Desert Flower Center at Adventist-owned Waldfriede Hospital in Berlin, Germany, for medical and psychological consequences suffered because of female genital mutilation.
—Tito Carlos Lineha, former Angolan army officer, who became a Seventhday Adventist as a result of the silent testimony of one of his bodyguards, an Adventist recruit by the name of Abraão, who was also known as “24.”
Name of a free online resource focusing on the character of God from Adventist Information Ministry, the evangelistic contact center of the North American Division. The site offers 16 easy-to-navigate online lessons designed attractively and available also as podcasts. The material is available in English at www.apictureofgod.com.
Drive-Through Scavenger Hunt A fun activity undertaken by children’s Sabbath School leaders of Pioneer Memorial church in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States, to connect with members during a pandemic, engaging families and helping them to relate to Adventist pioneers, and enjoy socially distanced fellowship. The scavenger hunt offered clues to family units in cars (in ice-cold conditions) via text messages and brought Adventist history to life. Families were also able to do some service activities with their children. (->) Photo: Lake Union Herald AdventistWorld.org April 2021
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News in Depth
General Conference Session Is Moved to St. Louis, Missouri
The 2022 event changes venue after Indianapolis says space is no longer available.
By Adventist News Network
The Executive Committee (EXCOM) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church voted on February 17, 2021, to move the 2022 General Conference (GC) Session, the quinquennial business meeting of the denomination, from Indianapolis, Indiana, to St. Louis, Missouri, United States. The vote comes after GC management was unexpectedly informed by the city of Indianapolis that the space in Indianapolis was no longer available for the June 6-11, 2022, dates. The dates voted by the General Conference Executive Committee will remain the same. “The announcement to us that the dates in Indianapolis were not available came as a complete surprise, since we had taken this information to the GC Executive Committee,” said Ted N. C. Wilson, president of the Adventist Church. “The officials in Indianapolis were gracious, but found they were unable to provide the verbally con-
firmed dates. We felt bad about not continuing the wonderful collaboration with the Lake Union Conference, the Lake Region Conference, and the Indiana Conference. “However, God had already foreseen the problem, and through helpful contacts with the St. Louis Convention Center, the exact same dates of June 6-11, 2022, were provided. God always is going before us to open the way,” he said. The Adventist Church Executive Committee had originally voted during the 2016 Annual Council to return to St. Louis for the 2025 GC Session. This new development comes after a January 12 vote from EXCOM members to postpone the GC Session originally scheduled for late June of 2020 for a second time, because of continued challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the GC Session will now be held in St. Louis, which
A panoramic view of the St. Louis skyline, dominated by the 630-foot (190-meter) Gateway Arch. Photo: Sean Pavone / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images 6
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is within the Mid-America Union Conference, instead of the Lake Union Conference, the two unions will join together to collaborate in evangelism and mission ahead of the meetings. Gary Thurber, president of the Mid-America Union, expressed his desire to work together during the upcoming GC Session. “When we learned this exciting news about the General Conference Session, our thoughts turned to the Greater St. Louis area, which is divided by the Mississippi River,” he said. “In actuality, there are two unions and four conferences covering this territory: the Mid-America Union with the Central States and Iowa-Missouri conferences, and the Lake Union with the Lake Region and Illinois conferences.” Thurber continued, “Because of this, we are happy to be inviting the Lake Union to cohost the GC Session with us. The Lake Union has already prepared in a big way for the session that was to be held in Indianapolis, so they will bring much experience and help to the table. We are thankful they are willing to work with us to impact the entire Greater St. Louis community with the three angels’ messages. It is always a privilege and honor to host a General Conference Session!” Wilson also expressed his confidence that the 2022 session will be a time for Adventists to come together to share Jesus with the world. “What a privilege to proclaim the three angels’ messages and Christ’s soon coming in a united way in Total Member Involvement. As our 2022 GC Session theme says: ‘Jesus Is Coming! Get Involved,’ ” he said.
News in Depth
Mission in 2021 Demands Creativity, Church Leaders Say
At Leadership Council they discuss how to move forward in times of a pandemic.
By Andrew McChesney, Adventist Mission
Should the Seventh-day Adventist Church buy a satellite to ensure that it can proclaim the gospel in the last days? Are Zoom video-conferencing calls the future of mission amid the COVID-19 pandemic? Should Adventists be more intentional about uploading videos to YouTube, knowing that their voices can be heard around the world while they are sleeping at night and even after they die? Those were among the issues raised by world church leaders at a two-day leadership conference focusing on how to implement the church’s I Will Go strategic plan amid the pandemic. The First World Church Leadership Council, which met on Zoom February 9-10, 2021, concluded that innovation and creativity, with the Holy Spirit’s power, are essential to fulfill the church’s mission of preparing people for Jesus’ return. “We are facing unbelievable challenges for the future,” Ted N. C. Wilson, president of the Adventist world church, told the gathering of about 70 leaders representing the General Conference, world divisions, educational institutions, and other church organizations. “This is an opportunity to be creative and allow the Holy Spirit to provide that creativity.” While reaffirming the church’s commitment to proclaiming the three angels’ messages that Jesus is coming soon, Wilson said new methods are needed to convey it. “The message has not changed, but the methods have changed,” he said.
Photo: muchomor / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
children, young people, and adults that have emerged in a world drastically altered by the pandemic. One of the new opportunities was on full display at the conference: Zoom. “With COVID, look at what has happened with Zoom,” Geoffrey Mbwana, a general vice president for the world church, said as he gave a presentation over Zoom about the vital role of the Holy Spirit in spreading the gospel. “We used to travel a lot. We have been made aware that there is a lot that we can accomplish through Zoom as well.” Artur Stele, another general vice president, expressed amazement at the number of people who are able to attend Bible conferences through Zoom. While several hundred people might have traveled to a Bible conference before the pandemic, online attendance at recent gatherings in the Euro-Asia Division and the Southern Asia-Pacific Division numbered in the thousands. “This never would have happened in person,” he said.
ZOOM GOES BIG
Conference speakers spoke about new opportunities for reaching
GETTING CREATIVE ONLINE
Stele, who gave a presentation
about using the Internet and social media to implement the I Will Go plan, suggested that online gospel outreach has a biblical foundation even though the word “Internet” never appears in Scripture. He noted that the Bible portrays Christ through many genres, including prophecy, poetry, and wisdom literature. David, he added, wrote psalms in which each line began with a subsequent letter of the Hebrew alphabet. “These give us a hint that we need to be creative in presenting our message,” he said. Cautioning about online limitations, he said the Internet might be a better place to proclaim the gospel than to nurture people. But, in an example of its enormous potential, he said a church member halfway around the world had recently thanked him for an online sermon that had proved a blessing during a time of deep discouragement. Stele marveled that he had been sound asleep when the church member had watched the video. “When we are sleeping, we are still working. When we die, we will still be working,” he said. AdventistWorld.org April 2021
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News Focus South American Division (SAD)
2,568,201 Membership of the South American Division (SAD) as of December 31, 2020
7me Name of the official smartphone app of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in South America. The new 2021 version was released in February and includes new sections about shared prayer requests, how to start small groups, news, a way to give tithe and offerings electronically, relevant information about local churches (including worship times and locations), as well as devotional material (including Bible study guides). The app is available for iOS and Android.
“Our biggest challenge, however, has been to learn to be thankful in every situation. Despite closed churches, people infected, and lives lost, our hearts are thankful because ‘if we knew what God knows, we would ask for exactly what He gives us’ (Timothy Keller). When we were up on a mountain experiencing God’s blessings, we acknowledged Him as faithful. Why would we doubt Him now when we must go through a valley of pain and suffering?” —Erton Köhler, president, South American Division, in his column published in the January issue of Revista Adventista, the division’s monthly magazine.
3,000 Number of young Adventist volunteers participating in the Caleb Mission Project in the Brazilian state of Sergipe in the months of January and February of this year. Activities included running socially distanced health fairs, offering free haircuts, fitness advice, food distribution, and free healthful eating seminars. (^-)
16,584 Number of vulnerable families who received food assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic from the Adventist Development and Relief Agency in Ecuador.
“We presented Jesus to those who had been looking for offers, because He is the greatest offer of all time.” —Rubén Freitas, a pastor serving in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, about Expo Santuário, a traveling exhibition on Israel’s wilderness sanctuary, presented to thousands of shoppers visiting the Santa Maria Shopping Center on November 28-29, 2020.
Photo: South American Division News 8
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Perspective
Marcos Paseggi, Adventist World
Photo: Sébastien Marchand
Doom, Gloom, and Bloom Present despair and future glory are just part of the story. In this world, We walk on the roof of hell, Gazing at flowers. Through these few syllables, Japanese poet Kobayashi Issa (17631828) masterfully reflected on the ambivalence of human existence. Penned more than 200 years ago, Issa’s exquisite haiku poem is nevertheless very current. Sin has made our formerly perfect planet a living hell, as any evening newscast often highlights. We are often reminded, however, that beauty is all around us. PROPHETS OF DOOM?
Since Adventism’s early days, we have believed that the time just before Jesus’ second coming would be an era of ongoing social and political upheaval. Jesus spoke about “wars and rumors of wars,” adding, “nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places” (Matt. 24:6, 7). He added, “All these are the beginning of sorrows” (verse 8). Jesus’ words and the confirmation provided by convergent biblical prophecies provide a
valuable context to our daily newsfeed. Things are not going well and are not going to get better, the explanation goes, because they are not supposed to. Because Bible prophecy is to be trusted, things will undoubtedly get worse. Almost unbearably worse. At the same time, that longing for Jesus to fulfill His promises and come back to put an end to the world’s misery could become a double-edged sword. Because Adventists and others long for the end to come, they often find natural or human-made disasters a useful means to the desired end. It is something that, at times, might bring an unhealthy focus to their daily endeavors. Prophecy-believing followers of Jesus may end up stressing the gloomy steps to fulfillment over the hopeful expectancy of the promise. Putting the cart, so to say, before the horse. FLOWER GAZING
An effective antidote to a detrimental dwelling on the unfortunate events that often pester our newsfeeds is found, to use Issa’s words, in gazing at flowers. The God-given human ability to “create,” contemplate, and share beauty helps us to remember that we are creatures of a powerful Creator and Sustainer that has got “the whole world in His hands.” Flower gazing may not alleviate the dismal results of sin and its
consequences. It does not feed false hopes that somehow humans will eventually get their act together and, by sheer willpower, make this earth a better world. “Flower gazing,” however, may build our hope and trust in ways perhaps no breaking news disaster does. It renews our spirit and helps us to spread not doom but hope. Some readers have pointed out that Issa’s poem might allow for an alternate reading. In this world, it could be said, humans can spend their lives gazing at flowers, utterly oblivious to the pain and suffering that threaten to stifle them. But Bible-believing Christians know better than that. They don’t live in a vacuum, as they both acknowledge the suffering and actively work to love their neighbor by alleviating it. They remember, however, that “the world, though fallen, is not all sorrow and misery.”1 In fact, the world in general and nature in particular testify to “the tender, fatherly care of our God and to His desire to make His children happy.”2 In this sense, flower gazing is not an exercise in escapism but an act of worship. Among other things, it heralds the arrival of an undisturbed, eternal garden. How will you embrace beauty today? Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1956), pp. 9, 10. Ibid., p. 10.
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Focus
Joy comes in the morning.
Beyond Numb Hands and Hearts T
he story of John Nevins Andrews, traveling with his two teenage children to Basel, Switzerland, to become the first official Seventh-day Adventist cross-cultural missionary, is a treasured part of Adventist history. Andrews was a well-known scholar, author, and administrator. Adventists cherish his work on the history of the Sabbath. We appreciate his writing skills and leadership. What stands out most, however, is his willingness to hang on to Jesus in the midst of personal pain and loss. He was burying his only daughter—a victim of the same dreaded disease that had claimed his wife six years earlier. Overworked, undernourished, and challenged, John Nevins Andrews was candid about what the accumulated pressure and grief had done to him: “Brother Kinne, I seem to be having hold upon God with a numb hand.”1 Numb hands, numb hearts seemingly have no connection to joy.
While external circumstances affect our being and emotions, joy goes beyond warm feelings or quick fixes. Biblical authors had a lot to say about joy moving people to greater trust and worship of God (see, for example, Job 33:26; Ps. 21:1; 42:4; 51:12; 105:43). As we worship and recognize the God who has given everything for us, we are filled with a joy that tells us that we are safe in His arms. JOY AND ADVERSITY
WHAT IS JOY?
Joy encompasses a wide variety of sentiments and states. While it involves emotions, it’s also a state of being or can become a source of delight. We often think of joy as something fragile or bubblelike that can dissipate quickly, yet there seems to be something more profound at work. Joy is more than blue sky, glorious sunlight, and fluffy white clouds.
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Joy appears in unlikely places in Scripture. James 1:2 tells us to “consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (NIV). How can the Bible speak of joy and trials (or
Image: Lovely Shots
He is risen changes everything. Darkness becomes light; hopelessness turns into recognition— and recognition finally becomes joy. “tough tests,” as the Greek suggests) in the same breath? The biblical concept of joy shatters our ideas about joy. By connecting joy to the God who acts in history (and in our lives), we are reminded that faith and joy need to be intimately connected. James encourages his readers “to embrace their trials not for what they were but for what God could accomplish through them.”2 He wants to turn us toward potential divine victory over human reality; faith that looks beyond the limitations of human vision. That same attitude seems to have been part of Jesus’ motivation as He faced the ultimate trial or testing of the cross. The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews describes it like this when he encourages us to fix our eyes on Jesus, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2, ESV).3 The joy in saving His creation helped Jesus to endure the darkness of the cross—even when He cried out to the Father: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42, NIV). We hear pain and desperation in this prayer, but they also speak of surrender and commitment. In His darkest hour Jesus was able to see beyond the pain of the cross and consider the joy that salvation would bring to uncounted millions and billions who had been claimed by Satan, the great deceiver. Jesus saw our liberation from Satan’s darkness and constant lies.
THE CROSS—AND BEYOND
Darkness and desperation seem to be appropriate backdrops for the cross. Following a sham trial before a Sanhedrin not following its own rules, Jesus is nailed to a cross surrounded by two other crosses. The message from the authorities is clear: here hangs a sinner among other sinners. Many in the multitude watching Him suffer mocked Him (Matt. 27:3944), while a small group of women, who had followed Him, wept and lamented (Luke 23:27; Mark 15:40, 41). A strange darkness covers the land for three hours (Mark 15:33). When Jesus finally dies, the veil separating the holy from the Most Holy in the Temple rips from top to bottom, an earthquake shakes Jerusalem, and graves are opened (Matt. 27:51-53). Creation mourns, and joy seems as far away as the East is from the West. Jesus rests in the grave that Sabbath until the unimaginable happens on Sunday morning. When some of the women and the disciples come to the tomb to embalm Jesus for death they find the tomb empty for God had raised His Son. John tenderly describes the moment when Mary Magdalene weeps at the sight of the empty tomb after seeing two angels sitting in the place where they had laid Jesus. Suddenly there is a gentle voice behind Mary asking, “Woman, why are you crying?” (John 20:15, NIV). Mary doesn’t recognize the voice—for what
cannot be cannot be. But then He speaks her name (verse 16). “He is risen” has been the traditional Easter greeting of Christians throughout the centuries. He is risen changes everything. Darkness becomes light; hopelessness turns into recognition—and recognition finally becomes joy. Joy truly comes in the morning after a night filled with darkness, death, guilt, and despondency. Resurrection morning offers us a preview of what God has planned for those who have fallen asleep in Him throughout history. Resurrection morning reminds us that Satan doesn’t have the final word. Resurrection morning offers hope and infuses faith. David had it right when he wrote these lines a thousand years before the cross: “For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Ps. 30:5, ESV). He is risen—have you heard it in your heart? Can you feel the strength of that joy seeping into your life? Based on recollections of John Vuilleumier, “Early Days of the Message in Europe—No. 3,” Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Apr. 11, 1929, p. 11. I am indebted to Jim Nix, who shared this quote during an Adventist heritage tour in 2013. 2 Kurt A. Richardson, James, New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1997), vol. 36, p. 58. 3 Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 1
Gerald A. Klingbeil serves as an associate editor of Adventist World.
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Focus
Imperfect Joy In the hardest moments He is still there.
T
hey had a good life in Burma nearly 80 years ago. A family of six—father, mother, and four children. The oldest was learning to read, enjoying “strawberries and cream” for a snack after school, the youngest still a babe in diapers. Their home life was busy—an impeccably dressed father possessing secretarial and organizational skills and a knowledge of shorthand, thus equipping him for clerical work in British-ruled Rangoon. His young wife was busy with the care of little ones in a house with a (rare for many) sewing machine on which she made clothes for her growing family. Christmas was days away, and the city was festive. This particular season held relevance to this family of Christians—until one afternoon when the bombs rained down. There was no warning, no moment to gather the children and flee. The oldest child saw her younger sister die after being hit with bomb shrapnel. She remembers her little brother saying he couldn’t breathe. Trucks eventually came through to gather the injured and dying. The young boy was taken to the hospital, never to see his sister again.
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The father fought his way home through the city and gathered what remained of his family. There was nowhere to go but India. Some left by ship; however, that was not an option for most. Thus began one of history’s largest mass migrations on foot. The little family now reduced to four—would walk from Burma to India, a 450-kilometer (280-mile) crossing. INDESCRIBABLE
The sewing machine, the harmonium (an Indian musical instrument) the father played, toys, and books—a home forever left behind with the close of the door and a click of the lock behind them. Their lives in Rangoon were only a memory. All they could carry was all they could take. A schoolgirl, a baby, a father protecting his family, and a mother (who had no time to process her loss) began to walk. The smallest of their family would die soon, leaving the oldest girl to trudge through the jungle, stepping over the dead and dying, holding on to her father’s hand or clinging to her mother’s sari as they pushed forward to an unknown future. Food was scarce; safety was fleeting. This family— reduced from six members to three in days—struggled to put one foot in front of the other in heat, rain, darkness, and chill. They kept walking, and little miracles went with them. The little girl got malaria. She was so very thirsty, begging for water. On the trail they found a small pond of water surrounded by bushy trees. Cleaning it of any scum on the surface, the father fed his child the water she cried for. Soon the fever broke. Quinine saved her life. The bushy trees were quinine trees, and their lifesaving medicine had leached into the water. The grieving young mother would not lose her last surviving child that day. When they reached seemingly impassable hills, the local people accepted money to carry passengers in large baskets on the climb. The father could pay, so up in the baskets they went, conserving their energy just a bit more. When water was dirty, they somehow found a clean supply. The meager food they were able to consume sustained them to go a little farther. When the monsoon fell and the rivers swelled, they were not among those washed away. In the confusion and panic of an escape, the little family was never separated, and no one was left at the wayside. For weeks they trekked, until they crossed the border into India. It is estimated that almost 40,000 people of Indian descent perished on the way. This family was not among them.
Image: Nazreen Banu
RENEWAL
The family would set up their new home in the southern part of India. It would be another year before the little girl was strong enough to attend school again, to make friends, play as children do, but it happened. Before long, a new baby joined them, a baby girl nicknamed for one they had lost, born on Christmas Eve—almost to the day the bombs first dropped. She was a gift. They rebuilt slowly, painfully. How does one move forward from such trauma? In their new, safe home they soon learned and accepted the Adventist message. Their postwar country would finally awaken to independence and a new start. In that first year of independence a new baby would arrive. The family continued to grow. When the mother felt the pangs of labor, it was again close to Christmastime. The little girl was now a young woman training to be a midwife, and she attended her mother’s delivery of a new sibling. Instead of one sibling, there were unexpected twin boys. They were given the middle names Aaron and Moses, for the biblical brothers. When the father found out there were two babies, his shock gave way to a new conviction, “We lost one son, and now God has given us two.” What had been lost had been regained. The family became known by a commitment to their faith, to education and hard work, and a bond between all of them forged in their miraculous survival. Miracles and blessings along the way, joy to be found through unthinkable tragedy. Now there are 15 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild to stand as a testament of what God can do. A little family who had lost so much given more than dreamed of because of the mercy and love of a tenderhearted Savior. The story of my grandparents and my aunt’s survival reminds me of the joy that can be found in the worst of journeys, for they are roads traveled where we do not walk alone. Our God is faithful. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Ps. 23:4, KJV).
Wilona Karimabadi serves as an assistant editor of Adventist World.
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Focus
Facets of Joy We asked four members from around the world to share what gives them joy in the midst of life’s challenges and darkness. Here are their answers.—The editors.
“I Am the Resurrection and the Life” Why do we praise the Lord? The year 2020 has changed my perception of God’s goodness. The destructive pandemic has revealed not only the “God who permits calamities,” but also, and perhaps even more so, the “God who preserves life in the midst of calamities.” Though the pandemic seems to expose the uncertainty of this present life, it also validates the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We trust that even our unanswered prayers for those experiencing disease and even death are not beyond God’s control. God wants to prepare us for an even mightier display of His power, on the day of His return, when He will raise His faithful children. The current pandemic has caused immense sorrow. Death is a present reality, but it is superseded by the blessed hope of His coming. We are experiencing pain, but we will not doubt God’s providence in our lives. I am recognizing that deliverance will never be realized until it is accompanied by tragedy. I have also noticed that the shadow of the darkest night will never be understood without the appearance of the dazzling light of the morning. The depth of our sadness offers us a glimpse of the joy we are to enjoy. We can hide in the safety of His wings (Ps. 91:4). His providence will cover us until joy finally comes in the morning.
Sakhile Nxumalo is a theology student at Helderberg College, and comes originally from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Turn on the Light I think we were all relieved to leave the dark year of 2020 behind, but for many of us 2021 seemed to begin with even more darkness. It’s like the question in Isaiah where someone keeps asking, “Watchman, what of the night?” to which the watchman replies, “The morning comes, and also the night” (Isa. 21:11, 12). This leaves us with a difficult question: “How can I find joy in the midst of darkness that I still have to go through?” I’m reminded of an experience I had while serving as an Adventist Volunteer Service missionary in Indonesia. A flash flood devastated our campus, and in the following week torrential rains continued to threaten more destruction. Nights were the worst. With no electricity, the campus became a frightening place each time darkness descended and the rains started to pound. I still remember the moment when some staff members managed to reconnect the power as night was returning. The bright lights flicked on, and it was the happiest moment of an awful week. We still had a long road of recovery ahead, but getting the lights back on made all the difference. Light brings hope. Hope brings joy. Collecting Bible promises is a practical way to “turn on the lights.” Every time I read something encouraging, I save it. During the day if something bothers me, I review those words. The challenges don’t disappear, but the lights come back on, and I have more courage to continue. “You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light” (Ps. 36:8, 9).
Michael Lombart studied religion at Weimar College. He currently works as a flight instructor in northern California, United States.
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Joy in God’s Creation In these troubled times I find joy in nature. God provides the opportunity for a change of perspective through the wonders of His creation, through the careful details of nature. The sound of the wind through the trees, the distant calls of birds, the roar of the ocean waves on the shore, drown out the din of discordant discourse that surrounds us each day. They are an invitation to look away from what is undoubtably a dark time around us and gain a deeper understanding, delve into a new perspective, found by focusing on God. This change in perspective serves to remind me of the bigger picture. The view from my window is one of despair and ebbing hope, but the view in nature, under the stars or on the ocean shore, reminds me how little and insignificant I am, and yet how much God loves me; so much that He offered me salvation! In that vastness I see the immense plan of a loving God, and my soul is humbled and my hope restored. “Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world” (C.S. Lewis, “The Problem of Pain”).
O. Archbold is a mechanical engineer. He writes from Florida, United States.
Remember the Lord’s Command to Rejoice A well-known survey organization asked Korean men and women in their 50s and 60s, “What is most important to you right now?” Health took first place, while money came in second. For men, wives ranked third, and for women, husbands ranked seventh. What should be the first thing a Christian wants most in his life? It’s joy. Because joy is a gift from God. Because of the COVID-19 crisis, people are suffering from depression and stress caused by unexpected events. How can one rejoice at these times? The apostle Paul reminds us to always rejoice despite being in difficult situations (for example, being imprisoned). Lack of money or loss of health can make us sad. But we should always remember the Lord’s command to rejoice. We can rejoice because our citizenship is in heaven, and Paul set this example for us to follow. I believe that joy is a gift given to people who seek the Christian life. This joy is greater and more lasting than the pleasures of this world. “It is your strength to rejoice in the Lord” (see Neh. 8:10). As the Bible says, rejoicing in God should be the driving force for believers who are living in dark times. There is a Korean proverb that says that laughing brings blessings. I hope that we all remember the blessing of a smile despite the difficult times we currently experience. “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Hab. 3:17, 18, NIV).
Hae Seong Kim serves as editor of Sijo, the Korean Signs of the Times.
Top Image: nikkytok / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
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Global View
The Secret of Joy That your joy may be full
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he night was dark and the stone floor cold as the shackled prisoners were thrown into the deepest, darkest part of the prison and their bare feet locked in stocks. They were bruised and bleeding from the vicious beating they had just received; gradually the two men’s eyes adjusted to the dim surroundings of the inner prison. Paul and Silas were in the Macedonian city of Philippi, preaching the gospel, when a demon-possessed girl began following them, crying out and causing a disturbance wherever they went. Finally Paul rebuked the evil spirit, saying: “‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ And he came out that very hour. But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities” (Acts 16:18, 19). There was no trial; just a frenzied mob, lies, and corrupt officials. Motivated by greed and jealousy, masters of this rescued slave girl turned their wrath onto the two missionaries who had freed her from a life of demon possession and servitude. As they lay on the cold stone floor, bruised and bleeding, were Paul and Silas complaining about their terrible circumstances and clearly unfair treatment? No! Their hearts were filled with joy as they prayed and sang hymns to God (see Acts 16:25). This is not the first time we see Christ’s followers rejoicing in trial. In Acts 5, Peter and other apostles boldly proclaim their testimony before the Jewish council, consisting of the high priest “with all the elders of the children of Israel” (verse 21). The disciples’ testimony cut the leaders to the heart and they were furious. Had it not been for the intervention of
Image: Joel Mott
the respected teacher Gamaliel, the disciples no doubt would have been killed right then. Instead, they were beaten and “commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus” (verse 40). What was their reaction? “So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ” (verses 41, 42). The apostle James articulates this joy in the first chapter of his epistle: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4).
joy to fill their hearts. Jesus gently reminded the disciples of His earlier instruction, saying, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me” (verse 44). And then He gave them an incredible Bible study, opening their understanding, “that they might comprehend the Scriptures” (verse 45), assuring them of their mission to preach in His name “to all nations” (verse 47) and of the promise of “power from on high” (verse 49). Their hearts “burned within” (see verse 32) them and continued throbbing with joy 40 days later when, following Christ’s ascension, “they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy” (verse 52).
NO PATIENCE OR JOY
THE SECRET OF JOY
Patience and joy were two things lacking among the disciples that fateful Friday when their Lord was crucified. They were crushed in body and soul, and the world seemed dark indeed, as they had forgotten the words of Jesus spoken to them just days before: “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again” (Mark 10:33, 34). After the Resurrection, joy dawned slowly for Christ’s apostles. When the women came from the tomb with the amazing news that Christ had risen, “their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them” (Luke 24:11). It wasn’t until they saw Him with their own eyes did they allow
The Bible teaches us the secret of true joy. It is not found in feelings or circumstances, which change from day to day, moment to moment. The psalmist reveals where the only real and lasting joy is found: “I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; my heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. . . . You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Ps. 16:7-11). It is in Christ’s presence where true joy is found. But how do we practice His presence today, when He is physically no longer walking the earth? It is through His words, as recorded in the Bible, and by communion with Him in prayer. After instructing the disciples the night before His crucifixion, Jesus told them, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain
in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11). Decades later the beloved apostle John emphasized the importance of Scripture when he wrote the pastoral epistle of 1 John, giving witness “concerning the Word of Life . . . that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full” (1 John 1:1-4). As we think of the many trials and sorrows that so many have recently experienced, it might seem there is not much to be joyful about. But as we look to the risen Christ, drinking in every precious word, building our hope and purpose upon His promises, we, too, will experience the joy, which the apostle Peter affirms: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away. . . . In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while . . . you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:3-9).
Ted N. C. Wilson is president of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church. Additional articles and commentaries are available from the president’s office on Twitter: @pastortedwilson and on Facebook: @Pastor Ted Wilson.
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I
s it possible to praise God when circumstances are foreboding? Or to put it differently: where can we find the motivation to praise God in moments of crisis? What does it really mean to praise the name of the Lord? Psalm 113:3 offers a helpful starting point: “From the rising of the sun to its going down the Lord’s name is to be praised.” One understanding of this psalm answers the question as to whether it is possible to praise God in moments of crisis. UNDERSTANDING PSALM TYPES
It is helpful to note some general facts about the psalms as we think about Psalm 113:3: (1) Bible scholars identify the psalms by type or category; (2) generally, they agree on at least five types: praise (hallel), wisdom, royal, thanksgiving, and lament psalms.1 Understanding the characteristics of these types will help us as we read the Psalms. Praise (or hallel) psalms focus on the nature of God and not on specific things that He has done. Praise psalms tell about God’s attributes and encourage believers to praise Him for who He is rather than what He has done. In the praise psalms God is praised for His faithfulness, goodness, righteousness, judgment, and wisdom. Psalms 113-118 are generally identified as the hallel psalms. Wisdom psalms define that which differentiates the righteous from the wicked. Psalm 14, for example, defines the wise as those who pursue “understanding, and seek after God” (verse 2).
Devotional
Praising God in Uncertain Times 18
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Royal psalms celebrate the kingship of God, “the One enthroned in heaven” (Ps. 2:4, NIV). He reigns, “robed in majesty . . . armed with strength. . . . Mightier than the thunder of the great waters” (Ps. 93:1-4, NIV). Royal psalms also highlight the role of Israel’s kings to “judge Your people with righteousness, and Your poor with justice. . . . He will bring justice to the poor of the people; He will save the children of the needy” (Ps. 72:2-4). Thanksgiving psalms praise God for His gracious acts. These psalms either exhort the believer to give thanks to God, or express the gratitude of the psalmist. The theme of thanksgiving is sprinkled in many places in the Psalms, but a classic example of a thanksgiving psalm is Psalm 136. Lament psalms are prayers for deliverance, especially in moments of despair. They express deep sorrow for the sufferings of the nation and the individual. They reveal human struggles and call for God’s intervention. Lament psalms are prayers out of pain (see, for example, Pss. 12:1, 2; 13:3, 4; 22). EVERYWHERE, ALL THE TIME
Since Psalm 113 belongs to the category of praise psalms, a look at God’s underlying attributes will help us better understand the command to praise Him as expressed in verse 3. We can start by focusing on the meaning of the phrase “From the rising of the sun to its going down.” The phrase may be understood as denoting space and not just time. The phrase suggests a geography of praise, encompassing the East (where the sun rises) and reaching all the way to the West (where the sun sets). “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.” But it’s also biblically correct to understand the phrase as denoting time—from morning till evening. In the
Creation account, the often-repeated expression “And there was evening, and there was morning” defines a 24-hour cycle. The sun separates the day from the night, and serves “for signs and seasons, and for days and years” (Gen. 1:14). The call in Psalm 113:3, therefore, is to praise the name of the Lord everywhere and at all times. God’s children in every corner of the world are to praise Him. The location and circumstances are not to dictate whether we will praise the name of the Lord or not. In Philippians 4:4 the apostle Paul exhorts believers to “rejoice in the Lord always.” It’s easy to rejoice when everything is going right. When things turn upside down, however, rejoicing seems unnatural, yet Paul is calling us to rejoice always. The call to rejoice in the Lord always makes sense when we understand praise as an act of faith. We can learn from the example of King Jehoshaphat: “It was with songs of praise that the armies of Israel went forth to the great deliverance under Jehoshaphat. . . . Before the army went singers, lifting their voices in praise to God—praising Him for the victory promised. . . . On the fourth day thereafter, the army returned to Jerusalem, . . . singing praise for the victory won.”2 To praise the name of the Lord is to honor and exalt Yahweh and His character, which are represented by His name. It is to demonstrate a spirit of trustfulness, obedience, and joy in God. It means to give glory to His name. To praise the name of the Lord involves remembering His faithfulness. We praise the name of the Lord when our lives are filled with the righteousness of God. We praise the name of the Lord when our lives are characterized by a faith that defies circumstances—a faith that shows confidence even when circumstances are foreboding.
The call to rejoice in the Lord always makes sense when we understand praise as an act of faith. We praise the name of the Lord when we speak “to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody” in our hearts “to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19). Praise is more than an activity we do. It should be the atmosphere in which we live. Praise should be our way of life. “The melody of praise,” wrote Ellen White, “is the atmosphere of heaven; and when heaven comes in touch with the earth, there is music and song.”3 Therefore, “let us educate our hearts and lips to speak the praise of God for His matchless love. Let us educate our souls to be hopeful and to abide in the light shining from the cross of Calvary. Never should we forget that we are children of the heavenly King, sons and daughters of the Lord of hosts. It is our privilege to maintain a calm repose in God.”4 I like the way Ellen White brings it together: “Praise the Lord even when you fall into darkness. Praise Him even in temptation. ‘Rejoice in the Lord alway,’ says the apostle; ‘and again I say, Rejoice.’”5 See, for example, Steven J. Lawson, Holman Old Testament Commentary—Psalms 1-75 (Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2003), p. 5. 2 Ellen G. White, Education (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1903), p. 163. 3 Ibid., p. 161. 4 Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1905), p. 253. 5 Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1948), vol. 2, p. 593. 1
Tom Ogal serves as associate executive secretary of the EastCentral Africa Division and lives near Nairobi, Kenya.
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Faith in Action
Getting Back on Track Why some young men stay in the church and not others WORD COUNT: 1,914
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hurch is lonely,” Matt summarized. “Nobody wants to walk into a church alone, sit by themselves, and then leave without anyone saying a word to them. That’s not going to be a spiritually enriching experience.” Our conversation had delved into the truth of what weekly church services are like for the few single young adult men who attend them. Weekly church services can be a deeply isolating experience. “No one really seemed to care that I was there. And no one would notice if I didn’t come back.” Sadly, Matt’s experience is not unique.1 It reflects the many conversations we had with young men about their perspectives on attending church. Numerous articles, books, and research studies explain why young adults in both the Millennial and Gen Z demographics are leaving the church as well as character traits of healthy churches that are attracting young men. WHY HAVE WE LOST SO MANY YOUNG MEN?
In our research we discovered that in many Adventist churches, 55-65 percent of the attendees are women.2 A Pew Research survey in the United States found that 60 percent of women said religion is “very important” in their life, versus only 47 percent of men.3 One proposed reason for this disparity is that Christian activities and religious practices often appeal more to women than men. Pew Research Center found higher levels of religiosity and interest in traditional church activities among women. This may be attributed to influences from both nature and nurture.4 Our interviews revealed the same conclusion. 20
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Character traits and interest in specific types of activities can be similar for both genders, but the types of activities promoted in a local church setting may often appeal to more traditionally feminine traits.5 For example, worship songs sing of love for Jesus and of His kindness and gentleness. Sermons often discuss Jesus’ caring nature and healing presence, and our need to emulate such qualities. Small groups value vulnerability, and the outward expression of emotions is expected at agape feasts and yearly Bible retreats. Church outreach often centers on nurturing activities, such as clothing and feeding the needy. The lists of activities most churches offer their members often mirror what mothers would do to care for their children. And so the church is the mother that cares for the community. But what about Image: Chuttersnap
God’s fatherly characteristics? What about Jesus’ “masculine” traits? How can the church mirror those effectively too? Our research was based on interviews with young men who shared that for anyone who relates to traditionally masculine activities, the aforementioned elements of church just aren’t very appealing. Topics young men are often interested in vary. Career achievement, having an influence, being a good father, leadership development, and vocational discipleship are rarely incorporated into the life of the church. Few ministries are set up to address men’s questions and issues in a way that appeals to them. Rather, young adult men are often portrayed as the porn-watching, video-game-playing, irresponsible demographic of society. These negative topics are often criticized from the pulpit, neither giving solutions nor taking the time to find out what other positive topics are truly of interest to young men. This may help explain why precollege teens don’t come back to church after they graduate, and the few young men left in the congregation feel even more isolated and alone. Today’s young men grew up on social media and truly understand its power. They are passionate about changing society, are a more diverse generation than ever before, and have incredible social influence. Gen Z has strong opinions on matters of social justice, race relations, gender, and identity, and wants to be part of making positive societal changes.6 Because of this deep sense of calling to see justice in the world, they expect more from the church. ROAD MAP TO SUCCESS
After numerous interviews with pastors, church leaders, and young men who have stayed with church,
we noticed a trend in the types of faith communities that are keeping their young men engaged. Mentorship: The top solution we discovered is simple: young men need older male mentors.7 If you want to see more young men engaged in church attendance, find dedicated men in your congregation who can intentionally mentor preteen boys through their young adult years. Mentoring was the common denominator among all the young men interviewed who were still engaged in church. Young men need someone they trust to talk to when they have romantic relationship questions, are discouraged, or when looming career choices are on the horizon. Mentorship is a lifestyle in healthy churches. Think of a few ways your church can grow in its capacity to mentor young men. Adult men can teach young men how to have a relationship with God, how they can make a difference in the world and in the mission of God’s kingdom in practical ways. Goal-driven Ministries: Young men enjoy project-based ministry that is meaningful, with a clear end date. Having a purpose in life is important for a young man, and this can be achieved through short-term projects that make a tangible difference. Marcus moved to a new city for his job and found a church to attend. He envisioned upgrading the church’s technology, but this would cost thousands of dollars, hours of planning and research, and the commitment of the church board. Randy, a retiree with a passion for young people, connected with Marcus and developed a friendship with him. Together they tackled the dream— Marcus with the vision, Randy with the church connections. Because of their genuine relationship and clear project, the church got on board with the vision, raised the money,
and installed the greatly needed updates to their system. This was successful because it had a clear goal, was supported by a mentoring relationship, and had meaningful ministry implications. Growing Young research8 shows that ministry is what keeps young people in the church.9 Appoint a teen boy to your church board, listen to his ideas, and mentor him into his leadership potential. Let young men lead mission trips and plan outreach projects to build their faith. Have a young man lead a Sabbath School class or find other practical ways to help your community. Do not micromanage them; instead, do ministry in partnership with them. Let them make mistakes, and encourage them to keep going until they figure it out. Every church should be aggressively intentional about including young men in leadership ministry positions. Outdoor Ministries: Engaging in the outdoors is both fun and deeply fulfilling for many young men. From camping trips to whitewater rafting, rock climbing, hiking, and more, the outdoors is where young men can explore the wilderness of the world and their own relationship with God.10 It’s a great place to both play and pray together. After a long day of hiking, late-night talks around a campfire provide a natural setting to talk about experiences with God. Jesus connected with His disciples in nature as well. Create a coming-of-age-style camping trip for preteen boys and their fathers or other mentors to explore nature and be discipled. Let young men lead a Sabbath outdoor activity at least once a month and invite families to join. Church Atmosphere: Keeping young men actively involved in church life starts with the church atmosphere. Is your church gracefilled, nonjudgmental, accepting, and AdventistWorld.org April 2021
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In order to keep young men engaged in your church, its culture must be one of grace and authenticity.
loving toward anyone who walks through your doors? These elements of character and church personality are nonnegotiable if you want young men to attend your church. In our own research we discovered that churches think they are more loving and welcoming than they actually are. When churches request a consultation to evaluate their effectiveness in reaching visitors, people from surrounding neighborhoods are chosen to attend the church anonymously and fill out a survey about their experience as a visitor.11 In the vast majority of cases, visitors rank churches as less friendly and welcoming than the church leaders perceive themselves to be. One of the most common reasons young adults say they left the church is “Church members seemed judgmental or hypocritical.”12 Young men need a nonjudgmental, safe environment to explore their beliefs. A healthy church, ready for growth, will be open to questions. If your teens or young adults are questioning the core and content of their faith, don’t run in fear. Study together, discuss their faith crisis openly, acknowledge that you also have questions, and walk with them in their spiritual journey. In order to keep young men engaged 22
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in your church, its culture must be one of grace and authenticity. CONCLUSION
Do you want to see more young men engaged in your local congregation? Change the culture of your church, develop a mentorship program, and create meaningful ministries. Matt, our lonely friend from the beginning of this article, is now a pastor in North America. Despite the struggles of being a single young adult man in the church, he has stayed connected because of Jeff, who mentored him when he was a teen. Jeff still regularly calls him to talk about his relationship with God and other life topics. Because Jeff invested in a long-term friendship with him, Matt knows that his life is valued and that his spiritual outcome is important to someone. There is hope and a solution to filling pews with missing young men. God will give you the inspiration and energy necessary to start these initiatives in your own church. Investing in young men may take a lot of hard work, and it may be years before you see significant growth—but the results are well worth the effort. Spend some time in prayer now as you contemplate how your church can reach more young men for Christ.
David Pullinger, “Where Are All the Men?” Single Friendly Church, Mar. 24, 2017, https://www.singlefriendlychurch.com/what-doyou-say-when/awhere-are-all-the-mena, accessed Feb. 24, 2021. 2 This statistic represents the average percentage of regular weekly attendees in many Seventh-day Adventist local churches. We interviewed more than 60 pastors, young men, conference and union leaders, and church members of various cultural and language backgrounds around the world. These interviewees were from the North American, Inter-European, Trans-European, South American, Southern Africa-Indian Ocean, Inter-American, and Southern Asia-Pacific divisions. 3 Pew Research Center, “The Gender Gap in Religion Around the World,” Mar. 22, 2016, https://www.pewforum.org/2016/03/22/ the-gender-gap-in-religion-around-the-world/#fn-25285-2, accessed Feb. 24, 2021. 4 Travis Mitchell, “Theories Explaining Gender Differences in Religion,” Pew Research Center, Mar. 22, 2016, https://www. pewforum.org/2016/03/22/theories-explaining-gender-differences-in-religion/, accessed Feb. 24, 2021. 5 Every individual is unique, and many church members don’t fit into the stereotypical boxes for what females or males might enjoy in life. But our focus, in this case, was young men who don’t feel they can fully express their masculinity within the church environment. 6 Tim Alford, “What Every Christian Needs to Know About Generation Z,” Premier Christianity, October 2019, https://www. premierchristianity.com/Past-Issues/2019/October-2019/Whatevery-Christian-needs-to-know-about-Generation-Z, accessed Feb. 24, 2021. 7 S. Joseph Kidder, “Mentoring: A Way of Life,” Ministry, March 2017, https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/2017/03/ Mentoring-A-way-of-life, accessed Feb. 24, 2021. 8 Kara Powell, Jake Mulder, and Brad M. Griffin, Growing Young (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2016), pp. 50-87. 9 An interview with youth and young adult ministry specialist Steve Case on October 7, 2020, confirmed that the same principle applies to the Adventist Church. Adventist research, such as ValueGenesis in 1990, 2000, 2010, has confirmed the same findings. 10 All outdoor activities must be approved by the appropriate church board for insurance purposes. 11 This work is done by Joseph Kidder as part of his church consultation. 12 Aaron Earls, “8 Reasons Young Adults Leave Your Church (and 8 Reasons They Stay),” Facts & Trends, Jan. 23, 2019, https:// factsandtrends.net/2019/01/23/8-reasons-young-adults-leaveyour-church-and-8-reasons-they-stay/, accessed Feb. 24, 2021. 1
S. Joseph Kidder is professor of Christian ministry at the Seventhday Adventist Theological Seminary in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States. Natalie Dorland is a pastor in the Washington Conference in the United States.
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Millennial Voices
Is It Time to Peel Some Potatoes?
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have had the most exhausting day at work today. Please peel five potatoes for me now so that I may cook tonight,” my wife exhaled as she entered through the door and headed straight for the bedroom. I mumbled to myself as I closed the curtains, barely noticing the breathtaking orange hues of dusk setting over the Nairobi skyline. Doesn’t she know that I am right in the middle of something on my laptop and that she is interrupting me? Besides, I am also exhausted from my tiring day at work! Can’t she just serve me instead? I don’t feel like serving her tonight. At that moment I knew I had arrived at a fork in the road. I could sulk and fuss about how, as a newlywed husband with a full-time career, I had not signed up for an extra evening job in the kitchen. Is this what marriage was meant to be? Alternatively, I could swallow my “manly pride” and go into the kitchen and joyfully tackle the five potatoes. After all, it would take only a few minutes away from my laptop. It was then that I heard that still small voice, tugging at my heartstrings, bringing to remembrance some passages I had read during my devotions earlier that week. “For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. . . . So again I say, each man must love [Greek: agape, referring to unconditional love] his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband” (Eph. 5:28-33, NLT).* “Love is patient and kind. . . . It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable” (1 Cor. 13:4, 5, NLT). Suddenly I felt a sense of guilt as I sought forgiveness from the Lord for harboring those selfish thoughts. The Holy Spirit’s voice was crystal clear as to what He thought I ought to do.
You must love [agape] her. This wasn’t a suggestion. No option open to negotiations; no compromise; no conditions. This unconditional love was a command from God Himself, as He required me to reflect His very nature. And the Christlike love He expected me to show her was irrespective of my feelings at the time. After all, don’t I wake up to go to work every Monday, whether I feel like it or not? Likewise, Christ did not demonstrate His love to me only when He felt like it. In fact, He did it when we were least deserving of His love, “while we were still sinners” (Rom. 5:8). Later that night I sat down to eat deliciously sautéed potatoes that my wife served me with a twinkle in her eyes. “Thank you for peeling the potatoes,” she respectfully said as I enjoyed the tasty food before me. My love toward her was reciprocated by her respect toward me. This feeling of being respected caused me to love her even more, just as Paul suggested in his exhortation (Eph. 5:28-33). At that moment I wanted to jump up to peel more potatoes—and do anything else my wife needed help with. Jesus told us that our identifying mark to the world as His followers would be that we must love one another, in the same way that He loved us (see John 13:34, 35; 15:12). This love goes beyond human ability, whether or not we get something in return. Whose potatoes is God calling you to peel today? *Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Frederick Kimani is a consultant physician in Nairobi, Kenya.
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Discovering the Spirit of Prophecy
“I Saw the Lovely Jesus” T
hose who are called to prophetic ministry most often receive direct divine revelation through visions and dreams. Prophetic visions and dreams are something like a virtual reality, in which God communicates to the mind of His messenger more directly, as described in Daniel 10:7-9, Isaiah 1:1, and Habbakuk 2:1, 2. Seventh-day Adventists believe that Ellen White (1827-1915) exercised the biblical gift of prophecy during more than 70 years of public ministry. Though not a Scripture author, she received divinely initiated communications through prophetic visions and dreams. A very precious part of these revelations was the privilege of seeing, hearing, and even being touched by Jesus. This had a profound impact on her life and writings. Her lifelong effort, as a messenger of the Lord, was to point people to the Bible and connect them to Jesus. JESUS SAID, “FEAR NOT”
Ellen White first saw Jesus in a personal supernatural dream when she was about 15 years old. Though she had been baptized, she still struggled with an intense 24
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sense of her sinfulness and unworthiness to be saved. In her dream she was led into a room and saw Jesus. She related, “There was no mistaking that beautiful countenance. That expression of benevolence and majesty could belong to no other.” When He looked at her, she saw in His eyes that He knew “every circumstance” of her life and all her “inner thoughts and feelings.” Feeling overwhelmed, she tried to hide from His “searching eyes.” Then the most amazing thing happened. She wrote: “He drew near with a smile, and, laying His hand upon my head, said, ‘Fear not.’” This expression of pity and loving acceptance overwhelmed her. She remembered: “The sound of His sweet voice thrilled my heart with a happiness it had never before experienced. I was too joyful to utter a word, but, overcome with emotion, sank prostrate at His feet.” After a time, while she was still in the dream, her strength returned, and she arose. As she left the place, she recollected: “The loving eyes of Jesus were still upon me, and His smile filled my soul with gladness. His presence filled me with a holy reverence and an inexpressible love.”1 Image: leolintang / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
This inaugural dream of Jesus was followed by many others after she was called to prophetic ministry in December 1844. During her early years she wrote of her visions and dreams: “I have often seen the lovely Jesus, that He is a person.”2 Again and again she referred to the “lovely Jesus.” His facial expressions, particularly His eyes and the sound of His voice, had a profound impact on her.
Ellen White’s writings draw us to Jesus as our living Savior and Friend.
THE PLAN OF SALVATION
The views and messages she received in vision portrayed past, current, and future events. Ellen White was taken back to the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate from the forbidden tree. She was shown a visual representation of the meeting of God the Father and God the Son as they confirmed their plan for the redemption of humanity. She wrote, “I then saw the lovely Jesus and beheld an expression of sympathy and sorrow upon His countenance. Soon I saw Him approach the exceeding bright light which enshrouded the Father. Said my accompanying angel, ‘He is in close converse with His Father.’ The anxiety of the angels seemed to be intense while Jesus was communing with His Father. Three times He was shut in by the glorious light about the Father, and the third time He came from the Father we could see His person. His countenance was calm, free from all perplexity and trouble, and shone with a loveliness which words cannot describe. He then made known to the angelic choir that a way of escape had been made” for lost humanity. Then she described Jesus’ message. “He had been pleading with His Father, and had obtained permission to give His own life as a ransom for the race, to bear their sins, and take the sentence of death upon Himself, thus opening a way whereby they might, through the merits of His blood, find pardon for past transgressions, and by obedience be brought back to the garden from which they were driven.”3 THE DESIRE OF AGES
Ellen White gave particular emphasis to the earthly life of Christ in her writings. As she was shown scene after scene, some were “pleasant to contemplate,” but others “pained” her heart.4 She exclaimed in a letter, “Oh, how inefficient, how incapable I am of expressing the things which burn in my soul in reference to the mission of Christ! . . . I know not how to present subjects in the living power in which they stand before me.”5 Her magnificent book on the life of Christ, The Desire of Ages, has helped many millions of people to know and fall in love with Jesus as Savior and Friend. Ellen White saw Jesus and His current ministry in the heavenly sanctuary. “I was taken off in vision to the most holy place, where I saw Jesus still interceding for Israel. . . .
Jesus was clothed with priestly garments. He gazed in pity on the remnant, then raised His hands, and with a voice of deep pity cried, ‘My blood, Father, My blood, My blood, My blood!’”6 She saw the “tender love that God has for His people, and it is very great.”7 In vision Ellen White was also taken to the future, when the redeemed enter the New Jerusalem. “The pearly gates of the New Jerusalem are thrown open and swing back on their glittering hinges, and the glad and joyful voice of the lovely Jesus is heard, richer than any music that ever fell on mortal ear, bidding us to enter.”8 THE LOVE OF GOD
The personal and powerful way that her visions affected her is described in this personal account that she wrote to a friend: “Yesterday . . . we had a sweet, glorious time. . . . The love of God was shed abroad in my heart, my whole being was ravished with the glory of God and I was taken off in vision. I saw the exceeding loveliness and glory of Jesus. His countenance was brighter than the sun at noonday. His robe was whiter than the whitest white. How can I, dear sister, describe to you the glories of heaven? . . . Dear sister, is not heaven cheap enough?”9 Ellen White’s writings draw us to Jesus as our living Savior and Friend. We are called to experience His love and care day by day. We can look forward to His second coming, when we will all see Him with glorified eyes and hear His beautiful voice welcoming us home. Until that day, we can read Ellen White’s writings and be drawn to the Bible and our marvelous and loving God. In Jesus “dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Col. 2:9), and it is He “who fills all in all” (Eph. 1:23). He is our joy, our hope, and our salvation. Soon we will see Him “face to face” (1 Cor. 13:12). Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1948), vol. 1, pp. 28, 29. 2 Ellen G. White, Early Writings (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1882, 1945), p. 77. 3 Ibid., p. 126; in Review and Herald, Feb. 17, 1853. 4 Ellen G. White, manuscript 93, 1900. 5 Ellen G. White, letter 40, 1892; see also Ellen G. White, Selected Messages (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1958, 1980), book 3, p. 115. 6 E. G. White, Early Writings, pp. 36-38. 7 Ibid., p. 39. 8 Ellen G. White, letter 3, 1851. 9 Ibid. 1
Merlin D. Burt, Ph.D., serves as director of the Ellen G. White Estate, based in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States. AdventistWorld.org April 2021
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Bible Questions Answered
Resurrection and the Second Coming
Q
A
What does Paul mean when in 1 Thessalonians 4:14 he says that at the second coming of Christ those who have fallen asleep will come with Him? Let me quote in full the biblical passage: “We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him” (1 Thess. 4:14, NIV). The Greek allows for slightly different translations. 1. JESUS BRINGS WITH HIM THE SOUL OF THE RIGHTEOUS
This biblical verse is used by some to support the idea of the immortality of the soul. It is argued that when a believer dies, the soul ascends to heaven, and at the coming of Jesus God brings it down “with Him [Jesus]” to join the resurrected body. This interpretation is to be precluded for several reasons. First, it assumes what it tries to demonstrate, namely, that the soul is immortal. In other words, since these interpreters already believe that the soul is in heaven, they inject this preconceived idea into our text and argue that at the coming of Christ He will bring the soul with Him. Second, the concept of an immortal soul living within a mortal body is not biblical, but is the result of the influence of Greek thinking on Christianity; consequently, it is not found in the context of the passage. Third, this interpretation does not make sense within its context. In order to comfort the Thessalonians, Paul should have said to them not to worry about the dead in Christ because they are already with Jesus in heaven. Yet Paul tells them that at the coming of Christ the dead will be resurrected, and 26
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then, and not before, they will be with Christ (verse 17). Fourth, the reunion with Christ will be experienced by all believers—dead or alive—at the same time, namely, at the coming of Christ (verses 15, 16). 2. A CONTEXTUAL INTERPRETATION
The Greek text could be translated in slightly different ways, as a comparison among Bible translations would indicate, but the basic meaning of the text is quite clear. A literal inelegant translation would be: “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, thus also God those who fell asleep through Christ He will bring with Him.” The basic point is that since Jesus died and was resurrected, we can also affirm that those who have died will appear with Him. We can improve the translation in two different ways: (1) “Since we believe that Jesus died and was resurrected, therefore God will bring with Jesus those who died through Him.” (2) “Since we believe that Jesus died and was resurrected, so also through Jesus God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep.” The second is a better translation, but for our purpose what matters is the phrase “with Jesus.” Since the verse and its context is about the resurrection of believers at the return of Christ, the passage is then stating that at the coming of Christ, God will bring those who have fallen asleep with Jesus through their resurrection. In other words, the Second Coming and their resurrection are inseparable. The apparition of Jesus and the apparition of dead believers take place at the same time through the power of Christ. This indicates that although the verb “to bring” (Greek agō) does not mean to bring to life, here it implies it (in the Greek translation of the Old Testament the verb is sometimes associated with death, e.g., Prov. 24:11; Isa. 53:8). This shows that the second translation provided above expresses better the thought of the apostle.
Before his retirement Angel Manuel Rodríguez was director of the Biblical Research Institute of the General Conference.
Health & Wellness
An Emotional Health Crisis Seeking help for our youth I’m a university student. The pandemic has caused challenges on every level: health, finances, studies, worship, work. I’m struggling with a sense of hopelessness. Is life worth living? Does my church care about how we as young people are feeling right now?
A
resounding yes to both questions! By God’s grace, and with His presence in our lives, life is worth living! And yes, our church cares deeply about how our young people and the youth of the world are feeling right now. Our whole existence over the past year has been overwhelmed by the global pandemic, with a significant increase in psychological distress in all age groups. Many who already had a mental health condition may be experiencing a worsening of their situation and reduced ability to function. This is being experienced globally and is particularly challenging as mental health services are generally underfinanced and underresourced. The Adventist health message is a wholistic package embracing both body and mind. This includes spiritual, social, emotional, and relational well-being. Adventist Health Ministries has intentionally raised awareness and called our church members and communities to action on mental health and emotional well-being. We had the privilege of being the only Protestant faith group present at the World Health Organization (WHO) launch of the report on the prevention of suicide in Geneva in September 2014. This milestone event highlighted the sobering fact that every 40 seconds someone somewhere in the world dies by suicide; the most vulnerable age group was identified as being the 15- to 29-year-olds! Tools shown to prevent suicide included hope, compassion, and caring—all familiar to us as tested methods of Christ’s ministry in reaching people. “Prevention can also be strengthened by encouraging protective factors such as strong personal relationships, a personal belief system, and positive coping strategies.”¹ Image: Siviwe Kapteyn
Economic stress, social isolation, decreased fellowship opportunities, and anxiety induced by news overload have all contributed to a much-worsened situation. Global reports and calls to action in 2020 highlighted the very significant increase in depression, anxiety, stress- and trauma-related disorders, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation (compared to 2018 and 2019). The youth in the 18- to 24-yearold group remain the most vulnerable, with one in four surveyed having seriously contemplated suicide in the past 30 days.² The Seventh-day Adventist Church has been entrusted with the mission and ministry of comprehensive health. We must not only share physical wellness but also nurture mental and emotional health, especially now when mental health issues are the single greatest cause of disability in the world. We must act! And we must act in an embracing and nonjudgmental way—imitating Jesus. A General Conference interdepartmental initiative, the COVID-19 Mental Health Initiative,³ has been launched to work toward helping meet these needs. What an opportunity; what a responsibility: sharing wholeness and serving all—for the moment physically distanced, but socially very connected! We can together make the difference, by God’s grace! To learn more, go to https://youthaliveportal.org/mentalhealth/, https:// www.adventistreview.org/church-news/ adventist-health-leader-praises-who-fortackling-suicides, and also https://www. adventistreview.org/1701-19. ¹ “Preventing Suicide,” WHO Report, September 2014, p. 8. ² Ibid. See also (1) United Nations, “United Nations Policy Brief: Covid-19 and the Need for Action on Mental Health” (United Nations, May 13, 2020), https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/un_policy_briefcovid_and_mental_health_final.pdf; as well as (2) M. É. Czeisler, R. I. Lane, and E. Petrosky, “Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicidal Ideation During the COVID-19 Pandemic—United States, June 24-30, 2020,” MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 69 (2020): pp. 1049-1057, https://doi. org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6932a1. ³ https://youthaliveportal.org/mentalhealth/.
Peter N. Landless, a board-certified nuclear cardiologist, is director of Adventist Health Ministries at the General Conference. Zeno L. Charles-Marcel, a board-certified internist, is an associate director of Adventist Health Ministries at the General Conference. AdventistWorld.org April 2021
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God’s Flying Tire G “May I Tell You a Story?” BY DICK DUERKSEN
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od used a variety of creative ways to reach the apostle Paul. First, He used a blinding flash of light and a loud voice to catch his attention on the road to Damascus. Next came the kind voice and healing touch of Ananias. At another time God used an earthquake while Paul and Silas were chained in a dungeon jail. Then there was the viper on the island of Malta and the dream voice that called to him in Troas. If God had a special job for Paul to do, God did something that caught his attention and then sent him off on a new adventure. He does the same today. When He needs us, He knows exactly how to get our attention and set us off on an adventure that will lead to the conversion of people He has prepared to accept His love! The story of God’s flying tire reminds us that He knows when—and how—to find us. It happened at Chozo, a Zambian community approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the border of Zambia and Angola. In 2015, the year that the Zambia Union Conference crossed the 1 million membership mark, Pastor Simui Akombwa was serving as Zambia Union Conference president. “While the ratio of Adventists to the population of Zambia at that time
was 14:1,” Akombwa remembers, “our North-Western membership was approximately 100:1. One could drive for 120 kilometers [85 miles] without seeing even one Adventist church building.” Though the Adventist Church first came to this province in 1980, the work has grown slowly. Other Christian churches came here many years ago, and the conservative North-Western people look with suspicion upon churches that came later. The only exception to this is those who come to build institutions, such as schools and clinics! “That year,” Pastor Akombwa says, “I felt called to visit churches in the North-Western province in the company of the local conference president. Using my personal Land Cruiser VX, we set out with our spouses (four of us in total) on a 10-day constituency visit to the Copperbelt Conference, one of the eight conferences and fields comprising the Zambia Union Conference.” *** The 10 days went by quickly, including a visit to the farthest point in the conference, close to the border with Angola. The group had left Chavuma and were returning home to Lusaka when God called. Here’s how Pastor Akombwa remembers the moment.
Dust Image: Devon Janse Van Rensburg; Tire: LiptonCNX / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
“Just as we were going over a bridge at Chozo, we saw an automobile tire flying across the river under us and wondered where it had come from. Just then our vehicle tipped over to the left. That’s when we realized it was our own tire that we had seen flying away over the river! My colleague, the conference president, was driving at the time. In an effort to stop the vehicle from plunging over the bridge into the river below, he swung the vehicle to the right side. The vehicle swerved and almost plunged into the river. It spun 180 degrees until it was facing where we had just come from. Then it suddenly stopped. Everything happened in a split second, and we were in a heavy cloud of dust. “Within no time scores of people from the area rushed to the vehicle to try to rescue us. To their amazement, they found all of us intact. They gathered around and asked us to come out of the vehicle and then stretched our arms to be sure we were safe. When they saw we had come through the accident safely, they broke into joyful singing. ‘Njambi njikwate kuli boko, Njambi njikahetee!’ they sang in Luvale, their native language. The words mean ‘God, hold me by the hand until I arrive home’ (that is, in heaven). After the joyful singing, several individuals from the group exclaimed: ‘This is truly the hand of God that could perform such a miracle, and we have been witnesses of what happened!’” At the end of the singing, one of the older men in the crowd, who was obviously the headman of the village, asked the travelers who they were. “We are ministers of the gospel,” Pastor Akombwa answered. “From which denomination?” the headman asked. “We are Seventh-day Adventists, followers of Jesus Christ.” Hearing this answer, they all queued up and asked to be added to the register of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a church where God saves His people from terrible accidents.
Within no time scores of people from the area rushed to the vehicle to try to rescue us. *** Akombwa affirmed the people of Chozo but told them that they could be accepted into membership only after studying the Seventh-day Adventist Bible doctrines and then being baptized. “OK. We can do that. Please teach us,” the headman responded. The pastors worked with the headman on planning dates for an evangelistic meeting and settled on returning in two months. Let’s go back to Pastor Akombwa’s story. “Having agreed on the meetings, we could now focus on our vehicle. The prodigal tire was located and brought back to us. Unbelievably, it was intact and still usable! After a struggle we finally got it back onto the axle, and then continued our trip home to Lusaka.” True to their word, two months later the evangelistic team returned to Chozo and held a three-week evangelistic meeting. Even though the Seventh-day Adventist message was completely new to Chozo, more than 100 people accepted the message. Eighty-two precious souls, including the area headman, were baptized, and a new church was established. The pastors, their wives, and the people of Chozo believe that the accident was a modern-day Macedonian call. “Come over to Chozo and help us,” God called as the tire flew away from the vehicle. Truly God is still looking for people to save, and if we surrender ourselves to Him, He knows exactly how to get our attention and set us off on an adventure that will lead to the conversion of people He has prepared to accept His love!
Publisher The Adventist World, an international periodical of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The General Conference, Northern Asia-Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventists®, is the publisher. Executive Editor/Director of Adventist Review Ministries Bill Knott International Publishing Manager Hong, Myung Kwan Adventist World Coordinating Committee Si Young Kim, chair; Joel Tompkins; Hong, Myung Kwan; Han, Suk Hee; Lyu, Dong Jin Associate Editors/Directors, Adventist Review Ministries Lael Caesar, Gerald A. Klingbeil, Greg Scott Editors based in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA Sandra Blackmer, Wilona Karimabadi, Enno Müller, Dixil Rodríguez Editors based in Seoul, Korea Hong, Myung Kwan; Park, Jae Man; Kim, Hyo-Jun Digital Platforms Director Gabriel Begle Operations Manager Merle Poirier Editorial Assessment Coordinator Marvene Thorpe-Baptiste Editors-at-Large/Advisors Mark A. Finley, John M. Fowler, E. Edward Zinke Financial Manager Kimberly Brown Distribution Coordinator Sharon Tennyson Management Board Si Young Kim, chair; Bill Knott, secretary; Hong, Myung Kwan; Karnik Doukmetzian; Han, Suk Hee; Gerald A. Klingbeil; Joel Tompkins; Ray Wahlen; Ex-officio: Juan Prestol-Puesán; G. T. Ng; Ted N. C. Wilson Art Direction and Design Types & Symbols To Writers: We welcome unsolicited manuscripts. Address all editorial correspondence to 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600, U.S.A. Editorial office fax number: (301) 680-6638 E-mail: worldeditor@gc.adventist.org Web site: www.adventistworld.org Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible references are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Texts credited to NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Adventist World is published monthly and printed simultaneously in Korea, Brazil, Indonesia, Australia, Germany, Austria, Argentina, Mexico, South Africa, and the United States. Vol. 17, No. 4
Dick Duerksen, a pastor and storyteller, lives in Portland, Oregon, United States.
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Growing Faith
Fun-filled pages for younger ages
The Do-Good Box
A
s another month goes by with the world still dealing with the pandemic, I’m pretty sure you are absolutely over it. I know I am. It’s been a rough time. Perhaps you know or are related to people who have contracted COVID-19. Sometimes people recover well; other times they don’t. There is a lot of sadness to process during these times—for grown-ups and kids alike. You may still be worshipping at home and haven’t been to church in a long time. School certainly doesn’t look the same, and if you just couldn’t stand it before, now you probably wish you were there again. Going shopping, going to public recreation places, even going to the library, aren’t things we get to do anymore. When things are not going well and the temptation to be sad is very strong, one of the best things you can do to feel better is to do something good for someone else. “But we are in a pandemic, and I can’t go out!” you say. I know. But here’s a way to be a blessing in an unexpected—and safe—fashion. Be sure to involve your parents or guardians in every part of this activity. 30
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Here’s what you’ll need: ■
a small container with a lid
■
several pieces of colored paper
■
a marker or pen
■
scissors
Illustration: Xuan Le
BY WILONA KARIMABADI
Bible Treasure: “Give, and it will be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your bosom. For with the measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38
■ Cut
your pieces of colored paper into strips about the length of your palm or hand. ■ On one side, write down a noncontact act of service. Some examples: Dropping off fruit on a neighbor’s porch. Cleaning the yard of someone on your street. Making a treat and going on a drive with a parent to drop it off for someone, etc. Think up as many as you can. And certainly, ask a grown-up for help. ■ Fold the strips of paper in half so the special task is not seen. Put all the strips into your container and seal.
■ You
can decide how often you will use your “Do-Good Box.” Maybe every day, or every weekend, or every couple of days. It’s up to you. ■ When you are ready for your Do-Good task of the day, shake your box, open it up, and with your eyes closed, draw out one piece of the colored paper. ■ Now go do your Do-Good deed! Don’t forget to wear your mask when out of the house, and wash your hands thoroughly (sing twice the entire ABC as you scrub, or just go take a shower) when you return. AdventistWorld.org April 2021
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BELIEVE HIS PROPHETS Provided by Revival and Reformation
READ THE NEW TESTAMENT IN 2021. Starts April 29.
Sign up at: revivalandreformation.org/BHP Available in English, Español, Français, Português
