The Law of Ministry

All things both in heaven and in earth declare that the great law of life is a law of service. The infinite Father ministers to the life of every living thing. Christ came to the earth “as the One who serves.” Luke 22:27. The angels are “ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation.” Hebrews 1:14. The same law of service is written on all things in nature. The birds of the air, the beasts of the field, the trees of the forest, the leaves, the grass, and the flowers, the sun in the heavens, and the stars of light—all have their ministry. Lake and ocean, river and water spring—each takes to give.TEd 62.2

As each thing in nature ministers to the world’s life, it also secures its own. “Give, and it shall be given to you” (Luke 6:38) is the lesson written no less surely in nature than in the pages of God’s Word.TEd 62.3

As the hillsides and the plains open a channel for the mountain stream to reach the sea, that which they give is repaid a hundredfold. The stream that goes singing on its way leaves behind its gift of beauty and fruitfulness. Through the fields, bare and brown under the summer’s heat, a line of green marks the river’s course. Every noble tree, every bud, every blossom, is a witness of God’s grace to all who become its channels to the world.TEd 62.4