Let The Holy Spirit Guide....Let Us Then Follow the Holy Spirit

I remember one institute class last semester about Peter denying Christ three times, and how after the Lord told Peter he (Peter) would deny Christ three times before the cock crew, Peter should have never gone into the palace.

I imagine Peter walking to the palace, and then the Spirit told him in Peter's thoughts that he shouldn't be going to the palace, but Peter went anyway and there he denied Christ three time, the cock crew and Peter "wept bitterly".

Yesterday at school there was an experience that put me in Peter's shoes. Last Friday, after I left work at 17:00, I went out to buy a fish taco and then returned to the school to pick a book for a friend. When I got to the school, there was a guy soliciting money to help buy uniforms for a children's basketball team he was coaching. He had found some students that were helping him solicit, and when they called me, I liked the idea of helping kids, so I gave him $5. Nevertheless, I had the distinct feeling that that man was not supposed to be where he was, but I ignored the feeling.

Tuesday night, after my night class, I saw the same man still soliciting for money, and I had that same distinct feeling that he was not supposed to be there, but because I was tired and it was late, I again ignored the feeling I had for the second time now.

Wednesday morning, all students received an e-mail from the administration that a female student was solicited sexually by a man that fit the description of the man I met the week before, and after talking to some friends that I knew had contact with him, it was confirmed that indeed it was the same person.

I have to admit that at first I felt guilty that my ignoring the feelings I had was almost catastrophic. Fortunately, no one was injured, and the perp was arrested the same day the reports were filed. Still, I can't help but realize that just like Peter of old, I ignored not just a feeling, but the Spirit, who was telling me something was wrong. Then, just like Peter, I couldn't help but "weep bitterly", which sounds really dramatic, but it's how I felt, and still do.

I hope I can learn from this experience, and I also hope my friends will learn from my mistake. DON'T ever ignore a feeling, because that is how the Spirit will prompt us. Some people will hear a loud and clear voice, while others, like me, simply have promptings, but whatever way the Spirit communicates with us individually, we have to respond to Him.