The new and exciting truth about the seventh-day Sabbath filled my heart with immense joy, and there was no turning back. This discovery led to a deep and profound spiritual transformation in my life, compelling me to fully embrace it with no intention of returning to my previous practices.
Now, my heart yearned to find a church that held worship on the seventh-day Sabbath. We started by piling our four kids into our small Honda car, with the smallest child sitting on a pillow in the center column of the front seat. We drove around town looking for churches that advertised Saturday services. We piled the kids into the car for four weekends in a row and finally found a church that offered Saturday services, although they were in the evening. I thought it was better than nothing. My husband and the children all thought it was okay to attend. I wasn’t so sure. It was a non-denominational church, and I wasn't clear on what that meant.
After many weeks of attending this church, I was not at peace in my heart. The words of scripture kept coming to mind. “It is to be a Sabbath of complete rest for you...from evening until evening, you shall keep your Sabbath” (Leviticus 23:32 NASB). As I thought about this, I realized we weren’t keeping the Sabbath correctly. The church's worship service was only at the close of the Sabbath, which troubled me. I was not at peace. The pastor of that church would stand at the door as people exited, shake their hands, and thank them for coming. He was friendly. So, I thought it was time to ask him about the Sabbath.
Unfortunately, each time I asked him about the Sabbath, he would not give me a direct answer—this saddened me. Finally, after weeks, I told my family that if he didn't provide a clear response, we would no longer attend that church. I prayed and asked God for wisdom and guidance, as the children were enjoying the youth program, and they were beginning to feel upset with me, knowing that we would probably not attend there again.
When that moment arrived, I once again asked the Pastor, “What do you believe about the 7th-day Sabbath of the Bible?” This time, I did not release his hand until he answered me. He responded, “Well, that is old-fashioned, and everything was done away with at the cross.” I let go of his hand and walked away with tears in my eyes. We did not return.
Instead of driving around town searching for a Sabbath-keeping church, I prayed. I told the LORD that He had given me this new truth, and I needed His help. Please lead us to a Sabbath-keeping church.
I was in physical therapy one day, and as I lay on the table, a curtain separated me from the patient next to me. I overheard the patient asking the therapist what she was doing that weekend. When I heard the therapist’s response, my heart leaped! I heard her say she was going to church the following Saturday. Bingo!
I waited in anticipation for her to come and check on me. I was nervous, as I didn’t know her, only as my physical therapist. But I just had to ask her where she would be attending church. When she returned to me, I told her, “I know you only know me as a patient coming here to this clinic, but I couldn’t help but overhear you say that you would be attending church on Saturday. If you don’t mind, can you take me with you?”
She asked me if I was a Seventh-day Adventist. I told her I didn’t know what that meant. I only told her that the Bible mentions keeping the Sabbath. She asked me, “Who told you about the Sabbath?” I told her no one, but only God, had revealed it to me in His Word, and if God says so, then why not keep the Sabbath, as He is God, and I am not to argue about it.” She said, “Yes!” As I left the clinic, my heart was filled with joy! I was beyond excited and counted the days until Sabbath.
The Sabbath arrived, and my new friend was at the door. On the way to the church, she asked me to share some details about how I learned about the Sabbath. She was astonished, and for the first time, my ears heard the words “Happy Sabbath."
We arrived at the church, and I was amazed by how friendly everyone was. I was also impressed by the continuous greetings of "Happy Sabbath" as I was welcomed. Just those words warmed my heart; I had never experienced such joy and love at a church. As I sat in the pew, I fell in love with how the church service was conducted, with such reverence and praise to God. My tears of joy ran down my cheeks, and I thanked the LORD for answering all my prayers.
Call to Action
According to the Bible, yes, God will reveal hidden things. Will you search the Scriptures for hidden treasures? Will you follow God's Word as it instructs and allow Him to lead and shape you in all things?
"For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open."
Luke 8:17 (NIV)
Scripture noted as NIV above is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
