Posted by Jason on June 25, 2001 at 12:24:05:
Howdy! I'm going to jump right in...
What is a sign? Specifically, what is a sign when taken from the context, "Signs and wonders" ?? And what are we supposed to do when we feel that we have experienced one?
I believe that I have had communication with God since I was a child. I can remember falling asleep and feeling an "other" experience while in the transition state from consciousness to sleep. I was probably around 4 or 5 when I first felt this, and I guess I always assumed it to be God.
I haven't felt that presence for almost a year. I have found, however, that God communicates to me in other ways. (Note: the understood concept that I have accepted is that God loves us and he desires to communicate with us). Most of these communications, as I have defined, are signs.
A sign is a communication from God, i.e. God wants to tell *me* something. The sign is the actual transmission. For a while, I would receive such transmissions, and because they were from God, I would feel that I was on the right path -- on course and in a place to speak with Him. I am just now (in the current experience surrounding this "Way Marks" post/communique) realizing that I must dig deeper to understand the intention of the sign, whether it be a simple sign, a wonder, or an actual encounter. What is the purpose? The Creator has taken time out of His "day" to touch me... why?
Obviously, the core reason for any such contact is love. He is as pure and simple as that. I believe the first step of understanding what He is saying is to understand that He is love.
The next piece of the puzzle, I am beginning to believe, is to study the transmission itself. How did He communicate to me? In the current example, He used a song. In order to avoid a discourse on recieving messages from God (i.e. the specifics of the "sign"), suffice to say I don't know the song, so my studies will begin with learning the lyrics, and trying to understand the message. This first clue will bring me to the point that I can move to the next step.
Interpretation is the hard part. Once all the pieces have been gathered, it is time to put them together. The difficulty comes in when you realize that 1) You are trying to arrive at the final "product" without knowing what that is, 2) It would be nice if the final product was recognizeable (i.e. big, yellow smiley face), but usually it is a piece of abstract art, and 3) The closer you get to the Truth, more questions arise, and more pieces appear. Nevertheless, we must push on.
I guess the final step is action. It can be as pure and simple as loving Him in return, which is what it all really boils down to anyway. Sometimes your realization points you to make some very tough decisions. I'm not sure if I can express just how tough those decisions can be.
I draw comfort from the example of David. Although he got into quite a bit of trouble, God still referred to him as the "apple of [His] eye" and "In him [He finds] no wrong." That relationship is what I long for, so I try to really look at it for what it is worth. What was so special about David??? The main message I get from his story is that he never gave up. When he was given a puzzle piece, he lived to learn what it was. He lived his life with purpose and direction, and he had the faith and perseverance to direct his attention Godward.
I'm still learning how to read my compass. It doesn't function like a traditional compass, although it is similar in navigational terms. We all have these compasses... mine might be a spider's web, Bill might have a shiney, brass kaleidoscope, Steve might be carrying a jar full of immortal lightning bugs -- but, the intention of each is to point out "True" North.
Watch for those signs, Continue the journey, and take care of your compass...
Jason