I am practicing a new spiritual discipline of really seeing the signs around me. Yes, yes, yes. We have a ridiculous amount of visual images bombarding us so we can’t pay attention to everything. But I believe that ours is a God who speaks in the mundane, the ordinary, the obvious. The problem is that I’d rather be spoken to in the mysterious, the quiet, the sacred. By which I mean, the special.
In the spring I wrote about a sign I see in my gym. You in the fitness: not your native tongue. That sign has put me on a quest in which I am retraining myself to see them as just that … signs.
These signs in poor English are triggers for me. A moment to pause and ask myself how I resemble that message. In them I see a reflection of how I can sound as I’m learning to respeak my native tongue. As I have slowed down, I see how very un-Eden like every nook and cranny can be.
Avoid. OK, that means there is a choice; as much as I think I HAVE to do, say or think a certain way in a situation. I don’t. Period.
Rushing. But isn’t rushing a nice way of saying being intentional and not wasting time. It is if you speak Eden lost. Eden lost whispers that if I don’t rush I might miss out on something. It is the lie that was whispered to Eve and from her to Adam and from them to us.
Aimlessly. This is a tricky one, because that which on the surface appears to be purposeful and right may be aimless in reality. Yet that which might look aimless may be the path God has for you, for me, for us.
Instead
Eden whispers
Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
‘Be still’ doesn’t mean ‘do nothing’, it’s about proper ordering. Be still and know. When we knowing something it is less likely to be aimless. Aimless comes from not knowing. Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations.
I’m so familiar with the first part I almost missed the whole point. Who will be exalted? God. When I am rushing aimlessly it is rarely with the sole purpose of God’s name being exalted. Sadly, it is often more about me being exalted. Rushing aimlessly, I believe the lie all over again that God is withholding some good thing from me.
Eden whispers and this sign screams: avoid rushing aimlessly. There is a better way, a way that you can return home to. Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted.
Lest you think this is just something that can only be done in a place where a language is foreign to you, that too is a lie. Look today at the signs around you and as an act of spiritual discipline, come back and share one with us. I look forward to hearing what God says!
Coming soon: my first ebook Signs of Eden Regained!
Related Language of Eden:
- The view from the 17th floor
- You in the fitness: not your native language
- Caution, drop down: speaking blame
- It’s forbidden to prostitute, abuse drug, and gamble
I remember that sign. Spotted while hiking on Ling Shan Mountain, I believe!
I will note those signs that appear today!
Totally not relevant (and not too reverent), I have to tell you I read a two signs yesterday. The first was posted on a Taco place and read: Sorry, we are closed due to short staff.
Under that sign was a hand written sign by a potential customer that read: Hire taller staff because I need a taco.
::::))))
Patti, I LOVE IT!
In regard to signs in general I would say that it is easy to ignore signs because they don’t scream at you, often are off to the side, and because sometimes the consequences for ignoring them do not occur right away. I think we have to train ourselves to look for signs especially the ones that occur often. The ones that occur often tend to get lost in the background so we have to work hard to not miss them. Let a child needing attention or an ache needing looked at.
We should try to be signs that do not get ignored that when we show up we have something good to offer and not distorted.
I see yield signs daily and the reason we yield is to prevent traffic disruption and to make sure as we merge with traffic it causes no accidents. In our relationships I think this attitude of yielding is good if done appropriately. If we yield to others in a good spirit where we are helping to maintain a good relationship and where our actions keep it from being derailed then that is great. I read where one person put it this way: I love you more than my position.
Yield. I’m going to start thinking “I love you more than my position” when I see that sign. Thanks Mark!
Oh, how I love Chinese signs. Love how God used an imperfect translation to give you the perfect message you needed.
Interesting way to look for a word from the Lord. Thanks for sharing with WIP!