Fruit Snack Theology pt. 3: It’s A Sign!
But a sign of what?
A lot of people want “a sign” from God when they are trying to make decisions. And God does give us signs - so looking for them isn’t ridiculous. But often times our understanding of “signs from God” is a lot closer to fruit snacks than actual fruit.
There is a local business near me that provides laser hair removal and they have a sandwich-board sign out on the sidewalk that reads, “If you’re looking for a sign that laser hair removal is right for you, this is it!” It’s clever advertising. It is literally a sign. But it’s not a sign for everyone who reads it. It’s not a sign for me. And it’s not a sign from God.
How do I know if something is a sign for me?
How do I know if something is a sign from God?
I recently encountered a man who was trying to make a big life decision about his career. He said to me, “I told God, if you want me to change jobs, you have to make it clear to me.” His story went on to reveal that he then had his hours cut at work and thought that might be the sign that God wanted him to change jobs.
It might be a sign that he should change jobs, because he needs to be working a certain number of hours and making a certain amount of money in order to survive. But is it a sign from God?
There are certainly times when we find ourselves in challenging situations and God wants us to depend on him and he equips us for those situations. Does God create those situations? If we go through this thought exercise logically we are saying….
I asked God to make it clear that I should change jobs
I had a reduction in my hours
The reduction in hours is a sign from God
God reduced my hours to get me to change jobs
Does God reduce hours or pay in order to make us do something? I’m not so sure.
God wants us to rely on him, that is true. Our faith is more important than our income, and God provides for our needs. But in general, I don’t think God makes things hard for us in order to get us to do something, or as a sign that we should do something.
A reduction in hours may be a sign you need to change jobs because this job doesn’t value you properly, or you can no longer afford your rent. Or maybe this job is a great fit for you, and they are giving you all the hours they can, and you need to move to a smaller apartment or find a roommate in order to make it work. It could be a sign that it’s time to move to a new city because this city is too expensive for you, or the job opportunities are too scarce. It could be a sign of many things, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a sign from God.
When God makes things clear to us it’s usually an inner sense of peace and understanding. It’s usually a deep conviction about our next steps. We will receive affirmation from wise Christian friends. We will have assurance when we pray. These are the ways God makes things clear.
God won’t total your car, dock your pay, take things away from you, or make your life harder just to get you to do something. That would be a very fickle and cruel god!
God will direct your steps, equip you for hard things, and fill you with peace. That’s the God of the Bible.
Many times, we agonize over decisions that don’t have a right or wrong answer. Should I work for this company or that company? Should I take this class or that class? Should I live in this apartment or that apartment? It’s entirely possible that there is no wrong answer in your situation. It’s simply a choice you have to make. And most choices we make can be changed. If you choose a job you don’t like, you can change jobs. If your apartment isn’t working out for you, you can move. That’s not to say that making changes is always simple, but often changes can be made.
Don’t let your search for a sign from God be your excuse not to make a decision. And don’t blame life circumstances on God. If your company treats you poorly, that’s your company, not God. If your rent is too high, that’s your landlord, or the real estate market. That’s not God. If a situation doesn’t work out, it’s most likely because of the situation, not because of God.
God does give us signs, but not every sign is from God. Don’t credit God with the nonsense that is just life, and don’t use God as an excuse not to make a decision.
Make your decision. If you have peace about it, you’re probably on a good path, even if it still feels scary. If you don’t have peace, maybe you should pray about it some more. Seek counsel. Pray with spiritually wise friends. Wait a little longer. When it is clear to you, it will be clear in your heart and soul.
This man I talked to about changing careers had peace in his heart. He knew it was time to make a change. THAT was his sign from God. His reduction in hours was simply part of his situation.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Earlier posts in this series:
Fruit Snack Theology Pt 2: God Cares About What I Care About