Missing the signs

“He sighed deeply and said, ‘Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” Mark 8:12 NIV

I played baseball for a couple of seasons when I was a kid, but I was not very good. My most famous moment was when I struck out a kid who ended up playing in the Major Leagues. Obviously, no one knew he would play in the majors at the time, but we did know he was good. My next most famous moment was with the next batter, his brother who also played in the majors. He hit a pitch about 700 feet. Game over.

There was also a time while running the bases that I recall. I was on third and heard my coach give his signal for a squeeze play. That is when the runner on third advances with the pitch. The batter bunts and a run scores. Our signal was when the third base coach would clap twice and say “Hey batter what’s the count?” That is what I heard so I started running with the pitch. Unfortunately, what my coach actually said was “Hey ump, what’s the count?” without a clap. Apparently, I was the only one who heard my version. Long story short the batter stepped out of the way and the catcher, with all of his protective gear intact, laid me out. Inning over.

Missing the signs is a concept on my mind today. Have you ever wondered if you have so badly missed a sign from God that you ended up in the wrong place? I wonder that all the time. Is it even possible? I am not talking about when you know He is telling you to do something and you either hesitate or decline. That would be disobedience. I mean what if I am willing but just miss it altogether? Can I end up in the wrong place?

It can be a complicated concept. We have free will. This means that we can choose any path or action. God does not make us do anything. He just knows what we will decide before we do.

I think He makes some choices obvious. Meeting my wife was an obvious sign. I thought about asking her to marry me on the second date. I waited a couple of months, but I knew way before that. Some things are less obvious. What if I choose the wrong job? What if we buy the wrong house? What if I take all of the blessings God has given me and just make a big mess of them?

In short, while I think it is possible for my life to look like a complete mess, I do not think that is possible for me to outwork the Creator. I think I can make bad choices. I think I can sit idle when God wants me to act. But,

“The Lord works out everything to its proper end…” Proverbs 16:4 NIV

The biggest messes I have made have been turned into some of the most surprising victories. Some of the worst looking scenes have given way to breakthroughs and freedom. Some of my most consistent anxiety gives way to some of my deepest peace. If He works out “everything” that must mean everything. So literally everything in your life He either handed to you, kept from you, or removed from you. He either walked you around it or held your hand right through tough terrain. Either way, He is not the picture of a heavenly catcher waiting to plow me over when I miss a sign. He is not even required to give me a sign.

What do you think you have screwed up? What is your biggest source of stress?

Have you asked God to handle it? Have you given Him time, or do you expect immediate results? Have you considered that His result may be different than you expected? Have you contemplated that his standard of measure is completely outside our understanding?

Challenge: Believe Him when He says He will work out everything to its “proper end”. Stop evaluating so much and start praising, the game isn’t over.

Rick Claiborn