Throughout Jesus’ life on Earth, His main focus, besides coming to die for our sins and sharing His good news to the world, was ministering to the sick and discouraged human race.

This last year I acquired my CNA (certified nurse's aide) license through my school. My mom, a registered nurse, was teaching the class, and students were given scholarships, so I thought, Why not take the class?

I did my clinicals, passed my state testing, and eventually got a good job at a caring nursing home. Overall, I enjoy my job, but I must say that working as a nurse’s aid is definitely not for everyone.

One of my favorite residents commented to me one day about how much she enjoyed my shifts because not everyone who worked with her was as kind and helpful. She gave me a great big hug, planted a kiss on my cheek, and told me I was an angel sent to help her through her long and lonely days. She made me promise I would visit frequently even when she was not assigned to my care.

It just made me think how often I get so caught up in my own life with work, school, family, and friends, that I forget to reach out to the people around me. People are searching for the truth. They are hungry for love and long for acceptance. There are so many people around us who just need a smile, hug, or even a simple, kind word.

Jesus did so much for the downhearted and less fortunate. Throughout the gospels there are so many miracles and unselfish things He did for so many people. If we all claim to be Christians, then shouldn’t we strive to be like the One who led a perfect life as our Example?

Jesus is coming so very soon! I’m sure about the direction God has planned for my life. I have realized the things that seem so big to me in life, like deciding what career I want to pursue or where am I going to attend college, are not as important as I had initially thought. God has it all worked out, and He has a plan for your life, too.

You might be the only Bible someone may ever read, and we can all help spread His message to the world in our own unique ways. Matthew 23:11 says, “If you want to be great, then go and help your neighbor and other people in need. Be kind to them, and help them in every way you can” (The Clear Word Bible).

It is the little things in life that sometimes matter the most!

Katie Ferguson is a senior at Indiana Academy and a member of the Cicero Seventh-day Adventist Church. She will receive a $100 scholarship because her article was selected for publication.