Signs From God,
I would guess that most of us here today can relate to the character Eric portrayed in his monologue, "Gambling With God." At one point or another we’ve all asked for some sort of sign from God.

"God, give me a sign that I should buy this new car."

"God, give me a sign that I’ll get a raise at work."

"God, give me a sign that my child will become a doctor."

"God, give me a sign that you still love me."

"God, give me a sign that you are a part of my life."

"God, give me a sign that you forgive me."

I am reminded of the movie, "Bruce Almighty," when poor Bruce had a very bad day. He didn’t get the promotion he wanted at work – in fact ended up getting fired instead. He was beaten up and had his car trashed by a gang on his way home. Then when he arrived home, he and his girlfriend had a fight. So he drove off in his car, begging God to give him a sign that God was still a part of his miserable life. The first time he asked God for a sign, he drove past a flashing road sign that said, "Caution Ahead." He ignored it. The second time he asked God for a sign, a huge truck pulled in front of him filled with street signs saying "Stop," "Do Not Enter," and "Wrong Way." Bruce got so frustrated by the slow truck in front of him, that he swerved around it. The third time he asked God for a sign, his pager started beeping with an unfamiliar number. He ignored that, and finally got so tired of it beeping, he threw it out the window. None of this small stuff for Bruce. He wanted a big, obvious sign.

And why not? Why shouldn’t we want the big and obvious stuff from God? Moses got the good stuff. Not only did God speak to him through a burning bush, but Moses also came away from his encounters with God with a face so radiant, he had to cover it when around other people. The disciples on the mountain with Jesus got to hear God speaking to them from a cloud, and to see Jesus transfigured before them. Plus, they got a moment out of the "Sixth Sense" movie, and saw dead people – Moses and Elijah standing in front of them. So why not us? Why shouldn’t we expect God to speak to us from a cloud, or send Moses and Elijah to appear here, in front of us?

We must remember, that’s not what God is all about. Even though we might want it to be so, God isn’t in the razzle dazzle, laser light show business. When I was living in Baton Rouge a few years ago, some interesting billboards with messages from God started popping up around the city, such as "What part of ‘Thou Shalt Not’ don’t you understand?" and "Keep using my name in vain, I’ll make rush hour longer" and "That ‘Love Thy Neighbor’ thing . . . I meant it." All were signed simply, "God." These were created by an advertising firm from Florida, but wouldn’t it be nice if it were that easy to recognize a sign from God. But even if we don’t get our own billboard from God; even if we never see Moses or Elijah, or hear God’s voice from a cloud, it doesn’t mean that God is not present with us. It doesn’t mean that we don’t have signs from God every day.

We may just be asking the wrong question. We are asking for God to give us a sign, when we should be asking what signs we can give to God. How have we shown God signs of our love and our faith? How have we shown God that we have made God a central part of our lives? I once heard a minister complain that his congregation treated church too much like a service station, just coming to be filled up every Sunday – looking for what God could do for them next. The minister urged them instead to be looking for what they could do for God. He believed that is when we clearly see our signs from God. We see God’s love when we love. We see God’s forgiveness when we forgive. We see God’s peace when we are at peace.

So do you take time for God in the midst of your hectic and busy life? Has God seen some big, obvious signs from you lately? It’s so easy to get caught up in the nitty gritty details of life, that God can take a back seat. Whenever the busyness of life starts to make me feel distant from God, I remember the words of Psalm 84, which reads in part, "How lovely is your dwelling place, oh Lord, happy are those who live in your house. A day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere." The psalmist was referring specifically to the physical temple when he wrote of God’s dwelling place, but God certainly dwells in all parts of our life – the dining room, the boardroom, the school room. A day spent with God, the psalmist tells us, is better than a thousand elsewhere. God is spending time with you . . . are you spending time with God?

Moses and Jesus both felt the need to get away from the crowds – to go to the top of a mountain to spend time with God. I want to take a few moments right now for each of us to spend some time with God. I’ve set up a few tables with some symbols of how God is present in our lives – with life-giving water, the oil of gladness, the steady foundation of rock, and the light of Christ. Feel free to visit one of the tables to touch the water and the oil, to feel the sturdiness of the rock and the warmth of the light. You may also remain seated if you prefer. We will be singing some songs and you are welcome to join us, or remain silent. The season of Lent begins on Wednesday. As we approach that season, take some time to consider both how God is present for you, and how you are present for God.