As a spiritual leader, I’ve discovered that my greatest need is a close, personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Jesus is my salvation, strength, wisdom, redeemer, sanctification — He is my everything. He is a living, personal Savior who walks with me, guides me and holds me through every joy and every sorrow.
Thus, I need time alone with God, contemplating the life of Christ in His word. God’s word, the Bible, has been a light upon my life journey.
In its pages, I find encouragement when I’m discouraged, wisdom when I’m uncertain and comfort when I’m hurting. It grounds me in truth and lifts my heart in hope.
In it, I find pictures of God’s eternal love scattered everywhere, especially in the accounts of the life of His Son, Jesus Christ. The love of God, as revealed in the life and teachings of Jesus, changes my thinking, values and the way I act toward others. It softens my heart, sharpens my vision and strengthens my desire to serve.
In addition, knowing the confusion and lies Satan would spread in the world just before the return of Jesus, God provided another “lesser light” in the writings of Ellen G. White.
The lesser light always points to the greater light, the word of God. I believe God knew we would need reminders and deeper insights for these times.
I love to read books — mostly non-fiction — and usually have several going at once, but I’ve never found another writer who presents a clearer picture of the grace, mercy, forgiveness, acceptance and love of God than Ellen White. Her words are Christ-centered, practical and deeply spiritual.
When my oldest son passed away in June 2020, my greatest need was time alone with God. I needed a fresh glimpse of His face and to be held up by His arms of love.
The loss was overwhelming, but I found strength in the familiar pages of scripture and the inspired writings that pointed me back to Jesus.
I spent hours praying and re-reading the gospels and Psalms. I re-read the books Steps to Christ, Christ’s Object Lessons, The Desire of Ages, The Story of Redemption, Acts of the Apostles and more.
At first, my personal grief and pain would hinder me from hearing His voice. The silence was heavy. Yet His presence was there, and I felt the comfort of His Spirit. Soon, His voice became clear again and the assurance that everything would be made right returned.
The value I’ve found in reading Ellen White's writings is reaffirmation of God’s love for me and my love for Him. They lift my eyes beyond the present moment and refocus my heart on eternity.
I have discovered new glimpses of God’s love and a fresh focus on Jesus Christ. I need that focus. You need that focus.
Many in our Adventist family have found similar comfort and guidance in Ellen White’s writings throughout life’s joys and trials. Yet, as generations have passed, those treasured words sometimes feel distant, misunderstood or misrepresented.
Today, a growing number of believers are rediscovering her voice — not as a burdensome obligation, but as a loving guide pointing us back to Jesus, the true Light. This rediscovery invites each of us to engage with her writings anew, allowing them to deepen our faith and renew our hope.
So I encourage you to open one of Ellen White’s books, whether you’re encountering her words for the first time or returning to them as an old friend. And as you read, keep the Bible open beside you. Let both the greater and the lesser lights draw you closer to Jesus.
Read with expectation. Ask God to show you His love again. Concentrate on finding new glimpses of Jesus and let your heart be drawn to Him. You will be blessed by the experience.
In fact, I’m inviting believers of all ages to take this a step further by joining a yearlong Bible and The Spirit of Prophecy reading challenge. Whether you're a student, a parent, a grandparent, or somewhere in between, this is a shared journey of discovery designed for every season of life.
As you read, reflect on what God is revealing to you — and consider sharing your story. I’d love to hear how this experience is helping you see Jesus more clearly. Your testimony could be the very encouragement someone else needs to begin their own rediscovery.
