According to the website for “American Treasures of the Library of Congress,” the original “Uncle Sam” poster was published as the cover of the July 6, 1916, issue of “Leslie’s Weekly.” Titled, “What Are You Doing for Preparedness?”, the poster was so popular that in the next two years, four million copies were made. Most of us have seen the famous “Uncle Sam Wants You!” poster, which resurfaced, especially during the World War II era. It was designed to stir the hearts of patriotic Americans.

Actually, Uncle Sam, aka the United States government, was seeking men and women to join in the war effort. Millions of Americans served in the armed forces. Those who could not serve in the military did their part working in factories and at other posts supporting the soldiers. And because Americans worked shoulder to shoulder, they overcame odds they never imagined as they successfully defeated the Axis nations, namely Germany and Japan.

Jesus told Zacchaeus, “For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19.10). The primary reason Jesus was seeking people was to save them from the dilemma of sin, but once souls were made a part of His saved body, they were also called to be workers in the Lord’s kingdom (Col. 1.13).

Christians in the early church gave up wealth, freedom, and many times, their lives in the service of God. Peter and John were arrested for healing a lame man and preaching the gospel (Acts 4.3).  What did they do? They preached Jesus. They told the people and their rulers to repent and turn to God. When they were released, they returned to the company of believers, and they prayed. Did they ask God to stop the persecution? No! Rather, they asked God to “grant unto thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness” (Acts 4.29). They mustered the physical and spiritual courage it takes to be a soldier of the cross.

God is seeking today for good men and women to speak His word with all boldness. Those who answer His call may face odds they never imagined. They may be poor and persecuted. They may even be called upon to give their all. The apostle Paul wrote, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3.12). Answering God’s call is worth it, for “in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, wherein we must be saved” (Acts 4.12). God seeks those who are willing to give all to share Jesus with others.

[-Adapted, BTW]