This year, by God’s grace, I had the opportunity to travel to Israel just when the word “pandemic” was starting to appear. On my return (filled with joy from the experience), I completed the recommended quarantine, just in case I had been exposed to the virus on the trip.
At first, I was really happy to stay home—waking up whenever I wanted, no obligations and a lot of free time for myself.
But soon I started feeling spiritually empty, because living just to live doesn’t make any sense … at least for the children of God.
The Bible says that God has spoken in the past in many ways. I don’t know if you will believe this or not, but I think God used a dream to send me a personal message. I dreamt I was behind a large pulpit ready to preach. But I could not see the big crowd because the pulpit was so enormous that it prevented me from seeing the auditorium. I grabbed a bench to stand on to look over the pulpit, but still I couldn’t see the people.
I understood God was telling me that I did not need to be behind a pulpit in the church building to preach about Him. Perhaps my place to preach was in another place or on another platform.
40 Days Toward a New Purpose
I decided to stop thinking only about myself during my free time and do something for the Lord. Normally, revival comes when you start sharing the wonderful news about God with others.
So, through my Facebook I offered people a free book titled A Purpose Given if they were willing to study the Bible with me for 40 days. To my surprise, many people accepted my invitation and requested to receive the book offered.
Every morning I had my time alone with God, and then at 5 am the online study began. Usually Bible studies are not given so early, but to my surprise many members—and even non-members—joined my Bible study!
One of my new friends told me, “I don’t speak Spanish, but I will join you because listening to the Word of God gives me peace.” And she was faithfully with me every morning even though she didn’t understand very much. With her I prayed, cried and humbled myself before the Lord.
During those 40 days, many members who were discouraged and fearful for the future became stronger in their faith as we studied the Word of God. Also, many decisions were renewed for the Lord and His church.
Finding Wholeness and Friends in Christ
During this time of COVID-19, many people are trying to stay healthy, just in case they come face-to-face with the virus. So I decided to add a short message on health, and it was well received.
Facebook connected me with Marlene. She is struggling with diabetes, so she was very interested in knowing more about the Eight Natural Remedies.
As she was discovering God’s laws of health, she was making changes in her lifestyle. How thankful to the Lord she was when she began recovering her health through God’s simple message!
Marlene is now a new believer and ready to serve the Lord and others. She is planning to be baptized soon and is happy to drive 25 miles to worship in an Adventist church.
I don’t want to live solely for myself anymore. I want to serve the Lord with all my heart. Don’t wait for the opportunity to share the Word of God behind a pulpit, or inside your church building. You can do it from anywhere, and you can do it now. God is looking for those who give themselves to Him anywhere.
Rosie Tovar writes from Olathe, Kansas.
