“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”
2 Timothy 4:2
The 2020 pandemic hit the boroughs of New York City hard. Many residents lost their lives to the virus. One gentleman, Earnest, decided to take action to improve his community’s health in Queens. He opened his own organic food store to provide quality food to his community, which lacked access to such food in the immediate area. In November 2021, he opened Earnest Foods. It is a quaint, wholesome organic food store that is closed on Saturdays so he can honor the seventh-day Sabbath. Earnest closed his store early on Friday evenings and kept it closed all day on Saturdays. That was unheard of for a grocery store, since Friday evenings and Saturdays were the busiest shopping times. Some considered it a foolish business decision to close during the most active shopping hours. But Earnest was undeterred.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 27:1 (ESV)
Soon, people began to ask why he was closed on Saturdays. They thought he might be Jewish, but soon realized he was a Seventh-day Adventist. People began asking him questions. People began to pray for him. People started learning more about this group of Christians who worshipped on Saturdays. One guy entered his store and said, "You're doing it the right way. I'm praying for you." Earnest was preaching the Word of God without saying a word.
Earnest enjoyed the opportunity to bring new information to his community. He made wholesome, organic, fresh foods available, helping his community understand the importance of caring for their health. He partnered with over 40 vendors from his local community, giving many a chance to grow their products and businesses because he was there. His store provided job opportunities for local residents. And his pleasant personality kept his customers coming back, even if it meant adjusting their schedules.
Call to Action
Preach wherever you go. When necessary, use words. Your life is a sermon. People are watching the ‘sermon’ you are living.
Ask Christ to come into your heart daily so that changes can begin from the inside out. The Savior says in Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in..." When Jesus comes into your life, positive changes will follow. Your life will radiate His beauty for the world to behold.
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16
Unless otherwise noted, all scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
