Gospel

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The Day All The Signs Changed
By Dan Blankenship
© 2008 Dan Blankenship



Almost everyday, I pass by a business that makes signs. There own sign clearly states that they can make any sign you might need and make it fast. This got me thinking; what if one of God’s holy angels showed up at the sign store early one morning, right after the business opened? And what if that angel ordered enough signs to change all the highway and advertising signs in the entire nearby community? What might commuters think as they drove to work later that morning, after the angel and his companions managed to swap out all the usual signs?


Imagine a man making his way through heavy traffic, cars swerving in front of him causing him to spill his hot, ten dollar latte in his lap, and when he is just about to use the Lord’s name in vain he sees, “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7 KJV) written on a giant billboard that yesterday advertised a very popular fast food place. Would this man continue his slanderous tirade, or might he have a change of heart after reading the direct commandment of his Creator? I guess it would depend on the man.


Imagine a single mother driving her children to school, worried about how she is going to pay the rent in three days time, and when she is just about to breakdown in tears she sees a new message where a green destination sign normally stood every morning. The sign reads: “…and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6:33-34 NLT). Would this woman continue to dwell on her worry for tomorrow? I guess it would depend on the woman.


Imagine (sorry John Lennon, I’m seriously not trying to steal your song) a teenager driving to school with hopelessness in her heart. As she nears the school, she notices someone has changed the high school marquee to read “How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, Whose hope is in the Lord his God.” (Psalm 146:5 NASB). Would this teenager seek out the God of Jacob and the hope he offers. I guess it would depend on the teenager.


The next time you drive, or are driven somewhere, imagine all the signs on the side of the road changed to quotes from the Bible. “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.” (Nahum 1:7 NIV) It’s not hard for the believer in Christ to get excited about the Gospel offering a more abundant life. But in reality, these signs along the side of the road are few and far between, usually placed along country roads by dedicated church boards determined to display the truth for all motorists to see. What is needed is for all Christians to be a living, breathing sign for the seeking to see. Our actions, and especially our attitudes, must be as powerful as a giant roadside billboard, directing lost souls to avoid the road hazards of a sinful life.


The man full of road rage, the mother worried about her rent payment, and the teenager who searches desperately for hope; they all need to know how to put things into perspective. If we are only creatures of chance who were not divinely created, well then their reactions and worries are chemically induced responses that no one can pass judgment on. But if the opposite is true, and we were created by a Supreme Being completely committed to a personal relationship with each and every one He has made human, well it would be best if we studied the signs he has set before us, even if they don’t appear at every mile marker we pass.

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