Listen and Obey

Dr. Walter Pearson was the featured speaker for the North American Division’s Net 2004 satellite evangelistic initiative by the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The theme was “Experience the Power,” and it was hosted at the Miracle Temple Seventh-day Adventist Church in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

On the last Sabbath of the event, I was at my home church, Sligo, in Takoma Park, Maryland. After I greeted my friend Joy, she suggested we drive to Baltimore to attend the Net 2004 meetings. We hastily left after Sabbath School.

Thankfully, after we had parked the car, we quickly found seats in the packed congregation. After the inspiring sermon ended, it was announced that the afternoon program would begin at three o’clock. It suddenly dawned on me it would be impossible to go home for lunch and return in time for the program. Neither of us wanted to miss it—but we had brought no lunch. Once outside we walked by open car trunks and picnic blankets filled with tantalizing food, filling the air with the fragrance of savory patties, creamy salads, and caramelized delights. I turned to Joy and said, “All these people are Adventists. We all enjoy the same food.

I am going to ask one of them if they would be willing to share their lunch.” I walked over to a sister in Christ and expressed our predicament.

She invited us to help ourselves to ginger beer, sorrel juice, vegetable Pelau, callaloo, fried fish, macaroni pie, and salads. The meal was so delicious that Joy went back for seconds. Once finished I distinctly sensed the Holy Spirit urging me, “Get up! Hurry back to the church!” Turning to Joy, I said, “We need to leave right away.” We thanked our kind host and began to help clean up after the meal. Again the voice commanded, “Hurry! Leave now!” Joy was still eating, but I headed for the church. When I got to the door, security allowed me in, but Joy was not with me. I pled with him to wait a minute because I could see her hurrying toward us. She barely made it. We got the last two available seats and sat down as the cameras started to roll. Joy was unusually silent, then quietly asked, “How did you know we needed to leave?” I told her I had heard the Holy Spirit and chosen to listen and obey. May we always be sensitive to listening to the Lord and prompt to obey.

C. Marion Hudson