Michael Smith - Signs

Signs

Signs

MICHAEL W. SMITH
with WENDY LEE NENTWIG

Text 2004 Michael W. Smith

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be produced in any form without the written permission of the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts in reviews.

Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Tommy Nelson, a Division of Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission.

The NIV and New International Version trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society.

ISBN: 1-4003-0295-1

Printed in the United States of America
04 05 06 07 LBM 5 4 3 2 1

Contents

L et me just start by admitting that I dont have all the answers. I havent found the secret to living the perfect Christian life or how to avoid pain and hurt. If thats what youre looking for, you can stop reading right now. Now that we have that cleared up, I can tell you I do have some stuff figured out. After years of living the Christian life, Ive learned a thing or two, and Im more than happy to pass it on. So expect some direction and advice that might just help you in your walk. Youll even find a few answers contained within these pages, but understand theres also a lot of mystery when it comes to God and the Christian life.

Those unknowns can really get to you if you let them. A why? here and a how come? there can start to add up until you begin to wonder what you know for sure anymore. Im here to assure theres plenty we can and do know. God is at work all around us and there are signs of His love and care for us everywhere. All you need to do is open your eyes.

Thats what this book is meant to be. Consider it an eye exam of sorts. A pair of spiritual glasses to help you see more clearly what God wants you to be about as you move through this world. And Im sharing it with you now because youre at an important place in your life. You face decisions that will shape who you become and what your life will be about. When I was growing up, there were people who did the same for me so Im merely returning a favor. They were key people who had a huge impact on my life. Guys like the youth leader in the little town in West Virginia where I grew up who helped steer me in the right direction. They answered my questions and helped me make sense of what we cant know for sure this side of Heaven.

As the next generation, youre our future. You have the power to do amazing things for God and I want to help equip you to fulfill that promise. In fact, in the Old Testament book of Jeremiah God makes it clear He has big plans for you: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

Youll find thats a theme throughout this book: Follow the signs to what God has for you. You may already have an idea or it may be a complete surprise. Either way, figure out what that plan is, what youre meant to do in this life, and youve won 90 percent of the battle. It will set things in motion. Theres a great big world out there and God has plans for the part youll play in it. So open your eyes and get ready!

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

JEREMIAH 29:11

chapter one
Signs

T here are signs everywhereliterally. Drive down the highway, and youll see billboards advertising everything from shopping malls to TV shows to 99 hamburgers. Some modern churches even rely on that kind of roadside reading to invite people to their weekly services. And most people dont think a visit to New York City is complete without a stop in Times Square to see the oversized signs featuring the models-of-the-moment showcasing the latest from Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, or Gap. Follow that up with a quick glance up or down the street, and youll see theater marquees advertising the various Broadway shows being performed inside. Even if you live in a small town like the one I grew up in, you cant escape signs. Fast-food spots, grocery stores, and gas stations all use them to catch our eye.

While its true that God hasnt resorted to renting out billboards to get our attention (although a Texas-based company did that on His behalf a few years back, featuring provocative messages signed by God in an attempt to turn drivers thoughts to spiritual matters), He does use signs to communicate with us just the same.

God may choose to forgo neon and flashing lights, but all you have to do is look around to find countless signs that He exists. There are reminders everywhere. Whether Im hiking at my farm in Franklin, Tennessee, or driving through my neighborhood, if I just open my eyes, I cant help but be reminded that God is close by.

Maybe I see the signs because Im a big nature guy anyway. Im all about taking time to stop and smell the roses, or, in the case of one memorable afternoon, the Bradford pear trees. It may sound silly, but about six years ago I was driving through my adopted hometown of Franklin, Tennessee, and the Bradford pear trees were in full bloom. Before I even had time to think about it, I had pulled off to the side of the road to get a closer look. I know its weird, but suddenly tears began to well up, and I sat there and cried. I dont know if it was just one of those God moments, but looking up and seeing Gods creation there in full bloom overwhelmed me. It was an amazing reminder of the One who made us all. And why not expect amazing reminders from an amazing God?

Now, Im not suggesting you seek out the nearest tree and try to drum up a few tears. (I can hear you breathing a huge sigh of relief at that news.) Its just that sometimes when were looking for God, were waiting for the big lightning bolt, while there are little reminders all around us. In other words, the big thing is: dont miss the little things. Theyre everywhere. All you have to do is walk outside.

YIELD

Why not take a walk somewhere off the beaten path today? Take time to really notice Gods creation. If He put that much care into crafting a single leaf or beetle or feather, just imagine how much more care He put into you!

MISSING THE SIGNS

God doesnt just use signs to remind us of His presence. I believe He also uses them to help point the way. But in order to tune into this type of direction, you need to be on the lookout.

Have you ever been in the car when the driver missed a sign for the exit or street that he needed and you ended up lost or had to backtrack to reach your destination? Maybe he was too distracted to notice the sign that would have pointed the car in the right direction. He wouldnt be alone. One of the biggest problems we all face in America today is that were surrounded by distractions, and we live way too fast. We find ourselves running from school and work to activities that range from baseball practice to hitting the mall to play rehearsals. Calling it multi-tasking may make it sound like we have it under control, but it doesnt change the fact that many of us are so caught up in our everyday lives that were just too busy to see whats right in front of us. And thats when we miss the signs.