And Still, We Advance
Each morning as I enter my place of work, I make my way down a corridor brimming with history. On either side you’ll find walls covered with photographs of leaders who have made their mark. First among them is Ellen G White. It is my privilege and honour to work in Bethel Hall at Avondale University, NSW, taking my place among these leaders as Avondale’s first female President. Avondale’s 126-year history attests to the vision, resilience and sheer determination of a woman who would not give up in the face of seemingly impossible odds.
I am motivated by the tenacity and God-inspired capability of Ellen White. In the early part of 1897, she inspected the foundation of the first men’s residence on the Cooranbong site. She was dismayed to learn that a decision had been made to construct a one-storey building due to lack of funding. She immediately over-turned that decision. Her motivation was to make a positive impression on the students and to invest prudently for the future. While the financial challenges seemed insurmountable, she boldly moved ahead in faith: “I am willing to bear the responsibility of this matter of a second storey being added to the one storey building . . . we shall move forward, believing in the guidance of the Lord.”1
In December 1898, a year after the official opening of Avondale School for Christian Workers, Mrs White reflected on the many challenges and discouragements she experienced: “Unbelief, ‘You can’t do it’, ‘It is impossible’, have met us at every step; still we advance”.2
Jesus prepares the way for us to tackle seemingly impossible hurdles in life. He raises our gaze above the difficulties, reassuring us that: “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible”. (Matthew 19:26)3 No matter the challenges you face today, remember God’s promise to empower you with all you need to face this day. Ellen White’s unwavering confidence in God’s leading during the darkest times inspires us all . . . and still we advance.
Verse of the day:
“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” Matthew 19:26 (NIV).
