There will always be signs telling you the way in which to go or how things are.
This way, that way, even signs leading to harm, or death.
There are signs the earth leaves behind as it groans for relief from the stress we placed upon it:
natural disasters & their aftermath
habitat changes
animal extinction
environmental shifts in weather & seasons
The signs that humanity is not satisfied with what it has, and wants more:
wars
slavery
debt
markets crashes
pillaging
theft
rape
slaughter
exodus to a new land
Signs closer to home, reminding us of the chaos outside, and sometimes inside our homes, communities, cities:
Sale signs
Traffic signs
Construction signs
Street signs
Voting signs
Signs of broken homes
Looking for work signs
Signs looking for help
Ads for the newest flavored need to own
Just because we see the signs doesn’t mean we are to follow them.
We may be like sheep, but we have a shepherd who is leading us on a straight and narrow path with confidence and purpose.
The signs there is a hurting world out there needing a loving hand to bind its hurt, and a living Savior to heal its brokenness, is part of our mandate.
Helping the orphans, feeding the poor, praying for the sick, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, loving the lonely. (Matthew 25:31-46)
This is the sign that Jesus is in us, in our midst:
Our appearance will never shine anywhere near the voltage of Jesus shining through our actions.
The signs we are to look for?
Not the ones the world is shouting out to our ears & eyes, but the still small voice we need to press close to hear, who will prompt us to see the signs He wants us to minister to, as His hands and feet.
So if like me, you are in voting season, looking for work or hiring staff, remember to look for these signs in your candidates/potential workers/bosses:
1. who they are listening to
2. how they speak about others
3. what they stand for
If the answers to these questions reveal selfish, power hungry or disrespectful signs, they are not a person you should be signing over the position to or working under.
Signs to look for:
servanthood
long term commitment
integrity
teachable
humility
investment in the team & community
These are the signs of the Kingdom, whether people know the King over them or not.
These are the signs Jesus wants us to look for, to coax out from within one another, to shine with as He did while He was here in earth.
There will always be chaos, disaster cries, hurting hearts, and loud voices clamoring for attention.
The sign we are His?
Showing His glory through His handiwork to those who don’t yet know Him, but long for His touch inside.
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.
Isaiah 30:21
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27
KARLA LEES 