Taking the Truth to New Territory
One of my earliest memories as a child growing up is the peal of the church bell on Sunday mornings - a reminder for the parishioners to come out to worship. My older sister and I were sent off to church, then a 200-year-old grandiose house of worship of the Episcopal faith.
As I sat quietly in the oversized mahogany pews, I loved to watch the sunbeams streaming through the many multicolor window panes. Beautiful scenes - depicting the virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus, the Lord’s Supper, Jesus praying in the garden of Gethesemane, Jesus’ crucifixion and the ascension - were all radiantly highlighted by the eastern sunrise. Hanging over the wide semicircle altar were the Ten Commandments, etched in two tables of stone. It seemed that as I would try to memorize the ten precepts, it was then that the gigantic pipe organ would start playing the processional hymn. We would arise to sing as the “Father” dressed in his priestly robe marched up the aisle, along with his laymen and the choir behind. The priest would offer prayers in chants, to which the congregation responded. We sang hymns, listened to Scripture readings, took the holy Eucharist, received a short sermon from the New Testament and were dismissed. Sunday school was held only in the evenings at 4:00 p.m. for the children. There I learned wonderful Bible stories and some Bible verses.
“Let thy mercies come also unto me, O Lord, even thy salvation, according to thy word” (Psalm 119:41).
As I grew older, the Ten Commandments became of great interest to me. I often wondered why we did not obey these laws. Part of the priest’s chants included a reminder that “Christ is risen from the dead on the first day of the week (Sunday) and is now ascended into heaven and will return to judge both the quick and the dead.” So I knew then that Saturday is the Sabbath. “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy” was not part of the teachings. None of the other laws that I can remember were emphasized. No obedience to God seemed necessary. Eventually, I shared my thoughts with a beloved Sunday school teacher, who lovingly told me that “Saturday worship is for the Jews.” “Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday, so Christians now worship the risen Lord on the first day of the week,” she added. Not quite happy with her reasoning, I accepted this. But, strangely, the truth of Sabbath sanctity was planted in my heart in those traditional worship services - seeds of truth that would take root and grow about 20 years later. “Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart” (Psalm 119:34).
I loved Jesus. I loved the Bible stories and the beautiful hymns I learned. I loved attending church. However, on becoming a wife and mother of three children, I soon became a visitor. My family and I had no time for church attendance. Our prayers were said only for quick favors from God or if we faced some disappointments. God’s love and goodness were taken for granted. My love had grown cold. I had no concept that God’s commandments came with blessings or curses. I did not know how to be faithful to God, how to truly serve Him. My life was built on sinking sand!
I had my family, a home, a good job; I traveled for leisure, I had good friends and good health. Divorced and remarried. It was at this “good time” in my life that I unexpectedly became a widow and faced great financial ruin. I had built my successes on the shifting sand and not on Jesus Christ, our “Rock of Ages.”
The Scriptures present the compelling invitation: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:16).
Empty and alone, I called on the Lord in fear. I even started to attend a Sunday church but found no joy or peace. I experienced more disappointments than I can remember during this period of my life. But God through His grace and mercy carried me. My prayers became more personal and my walk with Him got closer. Then one dark night, driving back to my home after a visit with my daughter, I felt an overwhelming need to be saved. I cried to the Lord to break me, melt me, mold me, and fill me with His Holy Spirit. I repented of all my sins and shortcomings.
As a result, I then felt renewed for the first time in years. The ten beautiful commandments hanging over the altar in the old church came to mind. I knew now that if I love the Lord, I must follow His ways and not human traditions. I had to find the keepers of God’s truths. “If from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul” (Deuteronomy 4:29).
Looking back, I do not quite understand why my many attempts were unsuccessful in connecting with a Sabbathkeeping church. But in the fullness of time, God used my brother (not a SDA member) to direct me. He needed my assistance to transport an elderly couple to a church meeting. I agreed to help and later found out that first night, that the SDA Church was having a crusade for souls. For four weeks, I did not miss any scheduled meeting. I asked to be baptized after hearing the three angels’ messages and the truths of the Spirit of Prophecy. With great joy I was baptized into the SDA faith, and eagerly started working for the church.
“In every generation and in every land the true foundation and pattern for character building have been the same. The divine law, ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, . . . and thy neighbour as thyself,’ the great principle made manifest in the character and life of our Saviour, is the only secure foundation, the only sure guide (Luke 10:27).”1
Within a few years of being a Seventh-day Adventist, I realized that the truth I had wholeheartedly accepted at the crusade was being compromised. My spiritual growth was retarded. My faith was faltering, and my works seemed dead. I watched my local church struggling for survival until it eventually closed, as the few faithful members sought other Sabbath churches to worship.
It was at this low spiritual time in my Advent faith that my employer offered me a job in a new city. In faith, I left my family (now grown) behind and relocated. I continued to be faithful to the church in this new city, but again, God’s standards of living were not truly practiced. Some faithful souls tried to remain on the old pathway, but most of us (including myself) fell short. Once again, I felt lost. Conversations with my pastors left me more discouraged.
“Blessed are the undefiled in the way” (Psalm 119:1).
“Show me the right path,” I asked the Lord. “I desire to serve you wholeheartedly,” I prayed. Again, God used his agent - a church brother - to direct me to the SDA Reform Movement Church. On my first visit, I saw (not just heard) a sermon of love for God and for each other displayed among these people. With open hearts of love I was welcomed. I also saw a church endeavoring to uphold the banner of God’s truth in reading from the Testimonies of the Spirit of Prophecy. Above all, the Bible truth found fresh new ground in my heart. I was revived and encouraged beyond my expectations. I desired to be part of these Reform keepers of truth. With much deeper study and prayers, I was rebaptized into the Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement.
“Amidst all life’s perplexities and dangers and conflicting claims, the one safe and sure rule is to do what God says.”2
As I continue my Christian journey, I rely wholly on the Holy Spirit for direction. I accept Christ’s imputed righteousness to make me whole. I trust daily in His living Word to keep me satisfied. I live daily to sing my Redeemer’s praise for leading me to a reformed life and for restoring me to an even better lifestyle.
As the Lord leads me healthy and straight, I do service for my children and grandchildren (all of whom are attending churches, though not of the Advent faith). I continue to pray that as I abide in Christ and He abides in me, my witness will inspire my children to come to a higher calling in the Lord. “If you love me, keep my commandments,” Christ declares in John 14:15 - that we all may be overcomers and hear someday soon the precious words of commendation: “Well done, good and faithful servant[s]” (Matthew 25:23).
As I bond together in the unity of the faith with my church brethren and sisters, I pray also that we will all be overcomers, to sing the song of the redeemed and enter into the Holy City. “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).