How much attention do you pay to “road signs”? If you are like most, you pretty much are on auto-pilot when driving on roads that are familiar to you. (I wonder how many Highway 57 signs in Calumet County that we pass by without even realizing that they are there.)
However, when we are in a different state on unfamiliar roads (without google maps), we intently watch the road signs along the way. Speed limit signs, highway markers, and detour routes all demand our attention to arrive safely at our destination.
Signs, of course, are not only limited to highways. Parks have signs that allow dogs, yet forbid alcohol. Grocery stores have smaller signs with prices, and larger signs telling us which aisles are open to check out at. We all look forward to seeing our “first robin” as a sign of spring. As the popular 1970 hit song so accurately says—“sign, sign, everywhere a sign…”
Would it be any different in God’s realm? We are given the infallible Word of God to help us navigate the road to our finish line. The Bible lists multiple signs which will be present before our Lord comes back at the end of the age. Matthew Chapter 24 tells of wars and rumors of war, and also of lawlessness, famines and pandemics (anything sounding familiar here?) Elsewhere in Scripture we see other signs (materialism, immorality, persecution, and apathy) that point to Christ’s imminent return.
The parable of the ten maidens (Chapter 25) brings all of these “signs” to a screeching halt. Five were ready for the bridegroom’s return and ushered in to the banquet, while the other five were left outside when the door was shut. May the oil in your lamps be ready for what follows the “signs”.
Watching “signs” is important to arriving safely at our destination—therefore, it is of the utmost importance that we pay attention to the signs that God has placed in front of us.