by Annet Johnston, AT Director of Operations

My true introduction to Adventist Today came in 2021 when I was recruited to the Director of Operations position. Since then, I’ve immersed myself in numerous articles and read countless comments, ranging from progressive viewpoints to more conservative perspectives. These honest, diverse views have opened my mind to a world of Adventism that is very different from the one in which I was raised.

Growing up, my biblical knowledge came primarily from the Arthur Maxwell Bible Stories, which were faithfully read to us after every meal. While these stories were comforting and beautifully written, they provided a very narrow interpretation of the Bible. I remember once quoting something from Maxwell’s stories during a youth Bible study, thinking it was gospel.

As I’ve encountered different interpretations of scripture, I’ve often felt unsettled, especially when my mind searches for absolute answers to life’s big questions, trying to reconcile them with what I had been taught. What I’ve come to realize, though, is mind-blowing: there’s no need for checklists, perfection, or fear about the “time of trouble.” The grace of God, offered to us through Jesus, is enough.

Mark 12:33 says, “To love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” (And, by extension, more important than checklists or fear.) It’s that simple.

I am deeply grateful that Adventist Today provides a space for open conversations, where you can encounter perspectives you never could have imagined. This platform has helped me stay grounded in the love Jesus lived out—love for our neighbors and for ourselves.

I encourage you to continue to support this space that Adventist Today is providing by making a donation to our Spring Fundraiser. This will help us to stay grounded in Jesus’ message of grace.

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