Story by LaTasha Hewitt

In response to the pandemic, Rehoboth church members in Reading, Pa., wanted to reach their neighboring community. After assessing community needs, Catrice Davis-Ford, Rehoboth’s Adventist Community Services leader, proposed relaunching the church’s food pantry.

Davis-Ford discovered Helping Harvest, an organization that partners with churches for food distribution. To spread the word about the relaunch, members shared flyers within a five-mile radius and began preparing for the COVID-safe initiative.

Church members distributed food on the church grounds, making it safe and easy for individuals to pick up their pre-packaged boxes and keep the line moving. The meals included enough food for a family to eat for two weeks.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3:20, NKJV).

To me, this verse is one of the most personal, heartfelt invitations in the Bible. So often we think of Revelation as the book about the antichrist, the mark of the beast, or the seven last plagues. But first and foremost, it is a book where Jesus patiently waits for us to surrender our hearts to Him so that He can love and lead us.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven” (Matt. 5:11–12, NIV).

When I was a kid, I used to firmly say I’d be willing to bear persecution— and even die for Jesus. These verses, spoken by Jesus, touch me personally and give me courage to be a witness for Him—no matter the consequence.

“Nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You” (2 Chron. 20:12, NKJV).

Once I “found” this verse, it became a favorite of mine. One Bible that I own is full of verses colored in blue to remind me of God’s special promises. This is one of those special verses that has not only helped me handle those tough moments in life, but I believe it has also strengthened those with whom I’ve shared this verse.

Why do we think we can go through life without leaning on the Lord for His guidance and deliverance? My husband, Dan, and I have faced some pretty tough situations in life—dead-end battles—or so they’ve seemed. But I’ve discovered that, as our walk with God continues, we need to keep our eyes on Him and go along for the ride. It’s not always easy though.

“For I know the plans I have for you ... plans to prosper you and not to harm you ... to give you hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11, NIV).

The biochemistry textbook was thick and assignments ominous. My primary question was not Will I survive this class? but Is this even necessary?

Though I had weathered challenges before, the horror stories about my university’s Biochemistry course alarmed me. A graduating senior, I was already swamped by other academic and extracurricular commitments.

Embarking on a detailed, fast-paced journey, I increasingly appreciated how biology and chemistry intertwined. I had a C, however, which terrified me. God, what is happening? I began to ask.