Revisiting Our Adventist Calling, Part 2

Summer Is Here! Though unofficial, the celebration of Memorial Day on Monday, May 26, marks the beginning of the summer season. Many of you have already planned your vacations—some brief, others lasting a few weeks. This break is a much-needed reprieve from the daily commitment of school drop-offs and pick-ups. But today, it is fitting to remember and honor the sacrifices of the men and women in uniform who have served with courage and devotion for the love of freedom and country. We pray that God's abiding presence and provision be with their surviving families as they live on without their loved ones.

A heartfelt "thank you" to the parents who supported our Pathfinder and Adventurer Clubs at the Club Ministries Fair held at La Sierra University last Sunday, May 18. It was a joy and encouragement to witness over 2,000 registered Pathfinders and Adventurers proudly participating in the 9:00 AM parade on the university grounds. The scene brought to mind Ellen White's inspiring words about the youth of our church: "With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the whole world!" (Education, p. 271).

As part of the Advent movement, we are commissioned to fulfill the Great Commission: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit."

(Matthew 28:19) Jesus assures us that as we carry out this mission, He will be with us—"every day, even to the completion of this age" (v. 20, TPT).

But what can 23.6 million Seventh-day Adventists do to reach a world of 8.2 billion people with the message of the Three Angels? Couldn't God accomplish this work far more effectively on His own? Undoubtedly, He could. But He calls us to participate for a greater purpose. We are invited to share in the joy of our Heavenly Father. Ellen White expresses this beautifully: "God could have reached His object in saving sinners without our aid, but for us to develop a character like Christ's, we must share in His work. To enter into His joy—seeing souls redeemed by His sacrifice—we must participate in His labors for their redemption." (The Desire of Ages, p. 142)

What a privilege it is to be co-laborers with Christ, to grow in His likeness, and to experience the joy of lives transformed for eternity

—Pastor Lim.