"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom." (Ecclesiastes 9:10 NIV).
I received a bulletin the other day from Don Schneider, North American Division (NAD) president, and it contained some startling facts:
1. There is one Adventist for every 468 people in the world. That ratio has dropped from one in 669 in just the past ten years.
2. During 2004, the NAD surpassed one million members. Membership is now 1,006,317.
3. There are 5,679 churches and companies in the NAD. Worldwide there are 117,737.
4. On an average, 2,756 new Adventists are baptized daily around the world, with 13 congregations formed in the same 24-hour period.
And the amazing statistics go on and on. I don’t know about you, but this excites and exhilarates me! We are seeing prophecy being fulfilled and are blessed to be alive at this time. And I believe far greater things than these will be witnessed before the closing of time.
So, fellow-believer, what should this mean to you and me? I think it means we had better get busy. We don’t want the Holy Spirit to leave us out of these awesome accomplishments. Nor do we have to be. In the words of our text, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” Time is winding up.
I know. I’ve been hearing that in church ever since I was a boy. But it is closer to fulfillment now than before. And you and I have opportunity to be a part of sharing the light we have before it's too late! Once we pass from Earth’s scene, and I was strongly reminded last year that we can leave here at any time, there is nothing we can do to fulfill the Great Commission.
Listen, friend of mine, the Lake Union Conference is providing training August 26–28 in Merrillville, Indiana, so you can train for a special ministry of your choice that suits your gifts and talents. This means you can prepare to be an integral part in finishing the work.
Pull out that bulletin insert again that you received in your church, or the brochure you received at camp meeting, and make plans to be with us. We are going to SHARE THE LIGHT. You too can learn to SHARE THE LIGHT. Don’t miss it. This may be your last chance to “do it with all your might.”