Signposts

Much photographed signpost at the bottom of  South Island, New Zealand

Signposts, way-markers, mileposts, landmarks, where would we be without them? Lost? Signpost are as ancient as humankind, they have taken different forms over the millennia, but have always been used for  the same reason... to show the way to some destination. 

In this digital age, physical signposts have been supplemented with GPS devices, Google Maps and other electronic systems. There is, however, something very comforting about a physical reminder that you are on the right track, to wherever you are headed. Even the simple, ubiquitous street number is a sign that we are at the right address. Imagine trying to find Jim's place without street names, and house numbers.

Signposts are not just earthbound; countless  generations of sailors and travelers have used the heavens to help find their way in the darkness. The heavens not only declare the Glory of the Lord, they guide us all. In the northern hemisphere the North Star or Polaris is as reliable as a compass, southern hemisphere travelers use the Southern Cross to orientate their journeys across the vast Pacific Ocean.  Other constellations, such as the Great Bear, known in the UK as the Plough, in the USA as the Big Dipper or The Wagon  are celestial way-markers.

Ursa Major "The Great Bear"

“And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:” Job 22:12 NIV

 

Signposts also mark significant points along any journey, telling us how far we have to travel until we reach our destination, be it the next exit or we've still got 40 kilometers to go.


In that wonderfully silly and classic story,  Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, by Lewis Carrol (real name Rev. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) Alice asks the Cheshire Cat....“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” The cat replies “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,”, Alice says " I don’t much care where", "then", replied the cat, " it doesn’t matter which way you go".  “So long as I get somewhere,” Alice added as an afterthought. “Oh, you’re sure to do that,” said the cat, “if only you walk long enough.”  

So many people live their lives like that, not knowing, or usually caring where their life leads them, or where their final destination is.  

Our Lord has not left His followers bereft of direction, we don't need to wander aimlessly through life, drifting until we reach our final destination. Unlike the Hebrews wandering in the desert for 40 years we don't have a pillar of cloud and fire to guide, however we do have the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide us and show the correct path in each and every circumstance.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105 KJV

Ask a sign for yourself from the Lord your God; make it deep as Sheol or high as heaven. Isaiah 7:11 NASB 

Ask for yourself a sign (a token or proof) of the Lord your God [one that will convince you that God has spoken and will keep His word]; ask it either in the depth below or in the height above [let it be as deep as Sheol or as high as heaven]. Isaiah 7:11 Amplified Version.  

Do you realize that you are a signpost to a dying generation? How many people do you meet every day who are confused, lost, on a journey to oblivion in this troubled world we all inhabit?

Fear is the default reaction of many people today and confusion is it's bedfellow. We believers have been given the antidote to that.....

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV 

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 Amplified Bible. 

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid. John 14:27 NKJV