Currently I’m on vacation some where near a sandy beach, on Lake Huron. While I am away I am featuring a guest blog about once a week. Today’s blog comes from Adrian Greyling who is a financial planner, husband to Shawna, and father to Leah, Ian and Avery.
“Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin’ out the scenery, breakin’ my mind
Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign?”
Driving home from work one day I noticed the plethora of signs that literally litter the side of the road. I started counting them to get an idea of how many I pass by on a daily basis going to and from work. I had to stop as I closed in on 100. (Not just because I was getting near the end of my ‘counting ability’, but because counting signs while driving is probably just as dangerous as talking on a cellphone.)
And what an amazing assortment of signs too. Plenty are advertisements for everything from plumbers to restaurants to dog walking services. Others are just informative, like: Glenmore Blvd. (You know, the street you just drove by that you were supposed to turn left onto.)
Some are pretty fancy, with beautiful typefaces and eye-catching colours. Others look like they were painted by a 3-year old who was in too much of a hurry. There are hand painted signs on cardboard, “animated” neon signs, as well as those on plain old wood or plastic.
Many signs offer warnings too. (It’s always helpful to know which way you should be driving on a one-way street.) Most signs are helpful, but occasionally you find signs that are downright confusing. For example, what exactly was this sign trying to say? (It was outside a secondhand store.) “We exchange anything – bicycles, washing machines, etc. Why not bring your wife along and get a wonderful bargain?” Here’s another example of a sign that isn’t terribly informative: “The Town Hall is closed until opening. It will remain closed after being opened. Open tomorrow.” (Huh??)
God also posts signs for you and I.
They’re not necessarily 30 foot billboards with neon lights on the side of the highway. Sometimes they’re much more subtle and it takes real effort to recognize them. God posts His signs for you and I in various ways; through His Word, through good advice from reliable Christian friends, and sometimes through “gentle whispers”, (as He spoke to Elijah). And thankfully, God speaks to us in ways that aren’t ambiguous or contradictory.
God never points us in the wrong direction, but every time He says “Don’t!”, He’s saying “Don’t hurt yourself”. And every blessing we enjoy is God’s emphatic “Yes!” His plans often unfold in unexpected ways and follow a timeline we wouldn’t choose, but God never makes empty promises. To put it bluntly, God’s signs are ultimately reliable.
Following God’s signs won’t get you lost or misinformed. In fact, God’s signs often point towards a future hope. I’m reminded of Jeremiah 29, when the children of Israel were in the midst of a 70-year captivity. Even in the midst of being judged, God offers a comforting signpost to His people: “For I know the plans I have for you; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV))
I can almost see Jeremiah’s billboard: “This way to a brighter future!” That’s what God is advertising to you and I today; a brighter future. Look for God’s signs and embrace them!
Adrian
Question: How do you recognize God’s signs? Leave your comment below.