Tell Tale Signs

I watched the cashier at the resister as she waited on the woman ahead of me.
Neither woman talked as the cashier went about her job efficiently.
I couldn’t figure out if the customer was not engaging or if it was the cashier.
I would know soon enough.

The woman in front of me was finished and took a while leaving the register.
She gathered up her things, taking her time.
She looked up and smiled; and I smiled back.
She seemed pleasant enough.

Good morning, I said to the cashier.
I love coming here this early since there are not many people in the store.

I know. Get in and get out is always nice.

The cashier was quick and efficient.
I was checked out in no time.
You have a blessed day, she said with a big smile.

Oh…blessed. How I love to hear that, I replied.
She smiled a knowing smile.
I gathered my things and left.

Tell tale signs.
Spirit talking to spirit.
One heart that knows the Lord engaging with another heart that knows the Lord.

It always amazes me how God’s people know each other.
It must be in the eyes, or in the countenance.
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. (Romans 8:16)
God’s children know each other, without even saying a word.

In the days of the Depression, workers roamed the country looking for work.
They rode the rails in boxcars and were known as hobos.
They were willing to take jobs that no one else wanted.
They lived by a strict moral code.

Often illiterate, the hobos helped each other maneuver through their dangerous life.
They developed a language all their own that has come to be known as hoboglyphs.
The Hobo Code led the many travelers to food, shelter, and work.
It was a pictographic system of symbols that was understood by the hobo community.

The hobo life was linked to the American railway system.
It is not easy to hop on and off a boxcar today, so the hobo population has declined.
The symbols were usually found near rail yards and were written in chalk or coal.
Tell tale signs.

The earliest Christians were persecuted by the Roman Empire.
This happened in the first few centuries after Christ.
Many were forced to worship in secret locations.
The early Christians used the symbol of the fish so they would know each other.

The fish symbol often marked meeting places.
It was also drawn in the dirt with a stick upon a first meeting.
Half of the arc of the fish was drawn in the dirt.
The person was a friend if they drew the other half of the fish.

Ichthys is the Greek word for fish.
The word is an acronym, each letter representing a word.
Jesus Christ, God’s Son and Savior.
The fish was full of meaning when drawn in the dirt.

A language all their own.
A symbol drawn hastily in the dirt, which revealed a bit of who they are.
God’s people knowing God’s people.

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. by this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.
(John 13:34,35)

A tell tale sign of a Christian is love.
Not fluffy, feel good infatuation.
Rather, deep down, Christ-centered, sincere love.
Loving others deeply because we love Him deeply.

This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples. (John 15:8)

A tell tale sign of a Christian is fruit bearing.
Not good works to earn salvation.
Rather, actions that are the overflow of a grateful heart that belong to Him.
Bearing fruit that will last to the glory of God the Father.

Devote yourselves to prayer being watchful and thankful. (Colossians 4:2)

A tell tale sign of a Christian is prayer.
Not showy prayers, or self-focused prayers.
Rather, Kingdom prayers, praying for God’s will to be done here as it is in heaven.
Prayer that keeps us a heartbeat away from God the Father through His Son, Jesus.

We don’t need to have a pictographic system of symbols or a fish drawn in the dirt.
We have a language of love and fruit bearing and prayer that set us apart.
We have this unique Spirit language, which easily identifies us to one another.
Someone who does not yet know the Lord cannot deny what they see in us.

They may not understand it.
But it is there, nonetheless.
An undeniable something between two believers.
Spirit to spirit, heart to heart.

Smile.
Love.
Bear Fruit.
Pray.

Have a blessed day!