The Signs

Did you ever think about how many signs you see each day?
Signs that inform.
Signs that heed warning.
Signs that point out a detour.

We are bombarded with signs that we must read as we go about our daily life.
Some we barely notice until it becomes necessary, like an EXIT sign.
Some we have to pay attention to, like road signs, street names, and route numbers.
Some are useful to us, such as the hours a store is open.

Some signs are confusing like those I happened upon on a drive.
Road work was being done on a four lane highway.
It was quite clear that 40 mph is what was expected in this work zone.
The usual 55 mph signs were covered up during construction.

4o mph always in effect, was the sign I first saw.
A little further down the stretch of highway I read, 40 mph when flashing.
Soon after that, I saw one of those speed indicators that told you how fast you were going.
I decided that 40 mph would be my speed during this entire expanse of roadway.

I stayed in the right lane.
Cars were passing me on the left at the usual speed.
Cars were passing me on the left at high speeds.
I was not taking any chances.

I have quite a lot of country signs in my home.
Many of them are over doorways.
Some of them are hung on the wall.
There is a coziness about the signs.

This time of year, as the midterm election draws near, there are signs everywhere.
The roadway is dotted with them.
At major intersections, there are so many signs it is difficult to even pay attention to them.
After a while, it is simply the color of the sign that gets noticed.

I take a mental note of which color sign I see more of this time of year.
None of that influences me, however.
For some people, when they get into the voter’s booth, name recognition is important.
I imagine that is what the political signs are supposed to do: put the name in front of you.

I was driving on a country road in my favorite place.
I enjoy reading church signs.
Often, it is simply the time of their service that is indicated.
Other times, food for thought is presented there.

The food for thought signs have to be succinct.
A driver only has a few seconds to see it and read it.
It has to be catchy to be remembered.
Some churches do this better than others.

I passed by the little church.
I have grown accustomed to reading their signs.
The sign caught my eye.
I read it quickly; I had my Ah Ha moment after I passed by.

The donkey and the elephant are fighting.
Look to the Lamb for answers.

I read the sign quickly as I drove by.
I tumbled it over in my mind.
I actually laughed out loud.
Clever, I heard myself saying.

I thought of the Chronicles of Narnia series.
I thought of what Aslan said to Jill in, The Silver Chair.
I thought of how those words impacted me each time I read the book to my children.
I have never forgotten the truth of those words all these years later.

But, first, remember, remember, remember the signs. Say them to yourself when you wake in the morning and when you lie down at night, and when you wake in the middle of the night. And whatever strange things may happen to you, let nothing turn your mind from following the signs. And secondly, I give you a warning. Here on the mountain I have spoken to you clearly: I will not often do so down in Narnia. Here on the mountain, the air is clear and your mind is clear; as you drop down into Narnia, the air will thicken. Take great care that it does not confuse your mind. And the signs which you have learned here will not look at all as you expect them to look, when you meet them there. That is why it is so important to know them by heart and pay no attention to appearances. Remember the signs and believe the signs. Nothing else matters. (C.S.Lewis)

Aslan warned Jill that the signs she learned would not look the same down in Narnia.
Truth gets muddled there.
What was once clear becomes cloudy.
It was important for Jill to remember the signs and rehearse the signs.

It is the same for us.
God’s Truth is in our hearts as we read His Word.
As we spend time reading God’s Word things are clear.
We know the truth and we are determined to practice it as we live our lives with God’s help.

Then we go about our daily life and the truth gets muddy.
It is a lie that goes back to the Garden: Did God really say?
It is the doubt that the enemy plants in our minds.
Only by remembering the Truth and rehearsing the Truth can we stand.

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6: 4-9)

God knows that His Truth needs to be planted deeply in our hearts.
God knows that we need to remember His Word and rehearse His Word in our hearts.
Aslan gave Jill the same admonition: Remember the signs.
God’s Truth, in His Word, will direct our lives.

We must spend time in God’s Word every day.
God has given us signposts as we journey.
Read them.
Remember them.

That is why it is so important to know them by heart and pay no attention to appearances. Remember the signs and believe the signs. Nothing else matters.