By Rick Mautz
Different types of work provide varying degrees of opportunity to reveal Christ. The one that Christ often utilized in His ministry was coming close to the people and helping them to find health of body, mind, and soul and bring relief from physical suffering.
We read statements regarding this type of work that raise it to a level of “the most important,” “the right arm,” “the door for truth,” “the signature of heaven.” I wish to tell you that soon there will be no work done in ministerial lines but medical missionary work, [see: Ellen G. White, Counsels on Health, p. 533. When reading about medical missionary work, the idea of a personal work, coming close to people to bring wellness to body, mind, and soul is repeated over and over, a work that any can do not just trained professionals].
God has blessed our church with clear instruction on how to be most effective in reaching our world and particularly in these last days. Scripture and other prophetic words tell us Gods character will be revealed through the lives of those working closely with individuals from day to day but especially as they help them toward wellness. “The world needs today what it needed nineteen hundred years ago—a revelation of Christ … Christ’s method alone will give true success [See: Ellen G. White Ministry of Healing p.143].
Health Ministry can “Light the world with His glory” or it can just give information. If we are to represent Christ in our world, then we need to act like Him in every way we can. There is no doubt that Jesus changed His world, revealed the character of His father, and was successful in restoring the image of God in those who followed Him. And now He calls you and I to let Him work through us to do the same for our world today. By studying Him, His methods, His passion, and then ask Him to work in us.
What would happen if, instead of just one Jesus changing His world, there were millions with Christ living in them. The members of every church, connecting, supporting, loving those in their family, church, work, and community. Reflecting the character of Christ and changing lives daily
One of the most important roles that we as Christians play in a world that is in the middle of a great controversy, is to reflect the character of God to those with whom we come in contact. Many are rejecting a God that doesn’t even exist just because He has been described or misrepresented by others in a light that is far from who He really is. How do we reflect Christ’s character? Do we just smile bigger, or do we go from door to door telling people we are here to reflect God’s character? Of course not, we must first connect with them in natural and meaningful ways.
This could occur in the process of life such as at work, at the store, or with our neighbors. Or we may connect through community programs that address and meet felt needs such as around health. As people see your interest in them, they will see a glimpse of God in His caring for them. But when a program is over, and they have barely started to apply some of the health principles to their life, we need to be available to support them in their struggles instead of letting them struggle and fail alone.
We do this if we expect to correct the misconceptions of who God is and what He is like. We can change this by learning how to continue to support those we have come to know Him through meaningful and ongoing support toward their chosen goals and interests.
John the Revelator saw in vision the earth filled with the Glory of God. It is not information alone, even gospel information, that fills the earth with God’s glory, it is the people reflecting His image. My prayer is that we will let Him use us in the most personal way to give the gospel through word and action and expect the unexpected.
—Rick Mautz, PT MS, is RMC director of the Rocky Mountain Lifestyle Center. For more information, call (303) 282-3676 or click here to visit the Lifestyle Center’s website, and more material on this subject. Photo by Unsplash and iStock.
