Sign

Today's word was "sign." 

As I was biking home from SPU today on the Burke Gilman trail, I was thankful for stop signs and traffic lights and other signs that help us know where to go and that keep us safe.  

Sometimes signs help us know how much further we need to go on a journey like the one I just found online when I searched for "Malawi road signs:" 

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I was reminded today of a quote that I shared with one of the students on our trip to Kenya this summer who had just graduated from college and who was struggling to figure out what she wanted to do with her life:  

The great teacher of ethics John Kavanaugh visited Mother Teresa while working for three months at her “house of the dying” in Calcutta. He was seeking clarity from God on the direction for his future. She asked him, “What can I do for you?”

He asked, “Pray that I have clarity.”

Mother Teresa said firmly, “No. I will not do that.” He was surprised and asked her why. She explained, “Clarity is the last thing you are clinging to and must let go of.”

Taken aback, he said, “But you seem to have clarity from God.”

Mother Teresa laughed, “I have never had clarity; what I have always had is trust. So I will pray that you trust God.” (Brendan Manning tells this story in Ruthless Trust on page 5.)

While this would be nice to have our lives clearly mapped out for us when we come to a fork in the road, this also takes away our chance to deepen our relationship with God as we ask for wisdom and trust when the writing is not on the wall. 

So, my prayer for you today is that God will give you signs when you need them but also that He will cultivate trust in you as you go along your journey when the signs aren't crystal clear.