Chapter 15—Social Justice
A Young Adult’s Encounter with Ellen White ... on Social
Justice
I never thought a lot about Ellen G. White. I knew she existed
and was highly regarded within our church. I had read a few required
readings here and there during my school years, but I never really
paid much attention to any of it until I found the following passage:
“Our Lord Jesus Christ came to this world as the unwearied servant
of man’s necessity. ... He came to give [men] health and peace. ...
None who came to Him went away unhelped. ... The Saviour’s work
was not restricted to any time or place. His compassion knew no
limit. ... Wherever there were hearts ready to receive His message,
He comforted them with the assurance of their heavenly Father’s
love. ... His life was one of constant self-sacrifice. ... Jesus devoted
more time to healing the sick than to preaching.
Two years ago I started to work online with teens in crisis. Some
are pregnant and unmarried and don’t know where to turn; some are
in abusive homes or relationships. But all of them are looking for
someone to care, someone to let them know that it will be OK in the
end. And what better person to show that than Christ? And what
better place to read about how He helped people than in the book
The Ministry of Healing?
The principles from the chapter “Helping the Tempted” are so
relevant to my work. I cannot help these kids by pointing out their
mistakes to them. I can’t preach at them and tell them what they did
[91]
wrong and throw them back out on the street. They need someone to
reassure them that someone still loves them and that they still matter.
And after reading
The Ministry of Healing
, by Ellen G. White, I
have learned through Christ’s example, as explained in the book, to
go about that in a better way.
Jodi, age 21
75