The sun was beaming, the sky blue and the air fresh. A pastor and I strolled along, lost in conversation. Suddenly my friend walked straight into a large pole. Its metal sign clanged as he crashed in a heap upon the sidewalk. I rushed to his aid and helped him up. Well, that's what I should have done.
Instead, I laughed...hysterically. Tears ran down my face as strangers attended to the poor man. A red bruise swelled across his brow. Kind people gathered the shattered pieces of his glasses and carefully placed them in his shaking hands, while casting stern glances in my direction.
I know. Not one of my finer moments. But who puts a sign in the middle of a sidewalk? Are we supposed to always pay attention for signs in the way? Hmmm.
Has God ever given you a sign? Yes, no, maybe? We tend to think of them as phenomenal displays...like handwriting on a wall. But if you saw handwriting suddenly flowing across your kitchen wall, would your first reaction be to read it? I'm sure I would get around to that...after my recovery in the hospital.
Though we want to put the signs of God in a neat, tidy, one-size-fits-all box, they actually come in a variety of forms and for many different reasons. While we may think of them only as answers to our prayers for direction, God's signs ultimately come for His purpose.
The other day I was late for an appointment. Speeding along a highway, I quickly came upon another car. I wanted to pass and hurry on my way. But over the years I've learned that those who slow me down are often there for a reason. So reluctantly I stayed behind the pokey car.
Then suddenly red taillights lit up. Smoke trailed as a truck screeched to a stop, braking for an illegal turn. Far enough behind, I easily changed lanes and passed. But had I earlier chosen to speed by that pokey car, neither time nor distance would have been enough to save me from a violent crash.
Was an angel driving that car? Maybe. After all, the car was an Infinity and we follow an "infinite" God. Just sayin'. But I am certain of one thing-that pokey car was a sign, God's unique way of telling me, Slow down. Open your eyes to what's going on around you. Listen carefully. Pay attention!
God shared the importance of this sign thousands of years ago. He told His people to love, encourage and care for each other, But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and stopped up their ears. They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the Lord Almighty had sent by His Spirit... Zechariah 7:11-12
Do you see it? These people...His people...had stopped following the signs He had given them---His laws and words that directed them how to live their lives. Perhaps, like Elijah, they looked for Him only in the fierce wind, shattering earthquake, or consuming fire. Or maybe they just didn't care.
When we stop looking for God's signs, we no longer expect them. We will turn our backs to Him, ignore His voice, and follow our way, not His.
Think again. Has God ever given you a sign? His Word is filled with them. Life is filled with them. Open your eyes. Listen carefully. Always pay attention for signs in the Way. And...do...not...stop! 
