"I can’t go on Saturday.”

“Why?”

My shoe scuffed the floor. “It’s my Sabbath. I can’t.”

“Can’t you ask for the day off?”

“No. See, it’s like this … ”

“Ashlee, you’re the bass clarinetist. Do you want to let everyone down? If you don’t go, you know the consequence. Now, go.”

My band director left his office, knowing the consequence for missing the band contest was writing an eight-page report on the composer of his choice. I felt ashamed for not really explaining why I wouldn’t go.

I debated my choices—go to the contest or keep the Sabbath. My mom told me I was old enough to choose by myself. That complicated things. Every spare moment I had was occupied by my mental debate. I moped around, pretending to be happy. I struggled against the Holy Spirit, though I didn’t know it at the time.

I decided to not make the decision. I wrote a poem telling God to choose for me, and to let me know what the decision was. However, I didn’t believe He’d really do it, so I went through the rest of the week thinking I would be going to the contest.

Sabbath morning came, and I tried to sing along with one of my favorite songs. I couldn’t, and burst into tears. I went to church, trying to make a compromise with God. But on this particular Sabbath, God didn’t want a compromise. I burst into tears, and my pastor and I went to a room to talk.

After I explained the situation, he told me the Holy Spirit was telling me God’s decision, but that I had to make the choice. That day, my pastor also encouraged me to attend Academy Days at Indiana Academy (IA).

To make a long story short, I chose to keep the Sabbath. I wrote the report. I attended Academy Days and fell in love with IA. God led me here. He has kept me here.

Sometimes God asks you to do something difficult, something with consequences you’d rather not endure. If He asks you, listen. He knows what He’s doing. He sees what you can’t see. If He asks you, do it. The choice may be between misery and joy. Had I made the other choice, I’m sure I wouldn’t be in academy today. I had been told to not even consider it.

My faith in God grew stronger over these past two years. My favorite verse says, “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3, NKJV). God has many great adventures waiting for you that you’ve never dreamed of. Pray, listen, and act.

It just may change your life.

Ashlee Chism is a junior at Indiana Academy and a member of the Michigan City (Indiana) Church. She will receive a $100 scholarship because her article was selected for publication.