Everywhere we travel, there are road signs. Signs that inform, instruct, and even warn. Some road signs catch our attention (such as the one above to watch for elephants crossing the road – none of us would want to run into an elephant).
While residing in Asia for 26+ years, our family often made watching road signs a game. However, as we became accustomed to our cultural surroundings, we sometimes ignored the road signs before us. As a result, the road signs no longer caught our attention, and we passed them by, never actually noticing what they said or what they were telling us.
Road signs are a type of communication channel. A way in which one party seeks to communicate with another party.
God also places road signs before us. I have often wondered about the road signs from God. I’ve asked, “Do I notice, or am I paying attention to these road signs?”
As we search after God’s heart, he often speaks to us and reveals new road signs we should follow. God also uses others in our Christian pilgrimage to help us discern these life road signs.
A little over eight months ago, my heart was uneasy. I wanted to return to my original reason of residing in Asia for almost 30 years. I knew that was the beginning of understanding a new road sign for my life.
About a month later, I received a phone call from Morgan, the DBA Executive Director, asking me if I knew anyone with the IMB who was retired or getting ready to retire who could serve with DBA. This individual would work with existing ethnic churches and also create a vision to see more ethnic churches planted.
My original calling and assignment for my first 15 years overseas involved working among ethnic churches in Asia and planting more ethnic churches. When Morgan phoned, a road sign from God was very apparent, and I immediately replied to Morgan with, “Yes, I do – me.” So, I retired from the IMB after 37 years and was called to DBA.
So, I encourage you to be aware, alert, and watchful of the road signs God puts before you. When confronted, reply, “Here am I, Lord, send me.”
