Know and Obey the Signs

The WORD today reminds me that God wants us not only to know, but also to obey signs from Him. 

Road signs are very important and helpful, especially if one is not familiar with the road. It tells motorists where to go, how to go there, what the rules are, etc. They help keep people safe. However, there are a number of tests and studies that show that a lot of motorists, especially those driving public utility vehicles in our country, do not know the meaning of these signs. Therefore, they lose their purpose. They become useless. Signs would only be useful t if motorists know what they mean and if they are followed properly.

Sometimes, or a lot of times, we want those kinds of tangible signs from God too.

Why not?

Who would not want affirmation or assurance of what God wants us to do in a specific situation? Who would not want what God wants us to choose, or where he wants us to go? Even people in the bible asked for signs from God.

However, it can also be taken out of bounds.

In the gospel we see Jesus warning the people about asking for signs. While it is normal to ask for signs, it becomes bad if the heart is closed to God’s signs. It is bad if the heart wants God to conform to what we want, not for us to be open to what God wants. The people of Nineveh were living in sin, and did not ask for a sign. But when God sent Jonah to warn them, they repented. However, the people already had Jesus with them to warn them and preach to them, but their hearts were closed. They did not want him, they wanted a sign based on their own expectations and standards. They wanted God to conform to what they want, that’s why Jesus said no sign will be given to them.

The 

Signs will only be useful if recognized and followed.

Aside from being open to what the signs tell us, we should also know how to recognize signs. Drivers are supposed to take examinations to familiarize themselves with road signs. If they don't know the meaning, research should be done. Else, signs would be useless. In the same way, we should also exert time and effort to know God more, so we can recognize his answers and his signs for us, and not just recognize what we want and be closed to our idea of signs.

However, knowing and recognizing signs are not enough. There should be more. Action should be done. Hindi pwedeng puro realizations lang. it is not enough to know signs. That benefits no one. We should act upon it. We should live and obey signs. The first reading tells us what he wants us to do. Not to just offer things and sacrifice things to and for him. God simply wants us to serve and obey him. God wants us to do what is right, to live right, and to walk humbly and surrender our lives to God. 

How about us? Do we ask for signs or do what we can – reading the bible, praying, receiving the sacraments, to know what God wants us to do and how God wants us to live our lives? If we ask for signs, are we open and sensitive to get and recognize signs not just based on what we want, but what God wants? Or do we want God to conform to what sign we want from Him? When we recognize signs, do we obey God, or are we just contented with recognizing sings from God? Do I surrender to God?

May we do our part to prepare so we can recognize signs from God, and do what we can to obey Him. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another week. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I am close minded. Sorry for not being open to you and for only wanting specific signs. Sorry for not recognizing you. Sorry for not doing what you want me to do, especially after recognizing your signs.  Lord, I pray that you always make you presence alive in my life. Help me do my part so I will always be sensitive to you. May I work and do my part to build a strong and personal relationship with you, so that I would know you more and recognize you, instead of just asking for signs. And help me have the resolve to do your will and submit to you. Amen.

Blessed Week!

In Christ,

-g-