I used to love eating Doritos, and would buy them regularly at the store.

I finally admitted, however, that junk food like this wasn’t very good for me, so I stopped buying them.

Except when they were on sale: then I viewed it as a sign from God that I could buy some.

I’m just kidding, of course: a sale on Doritos is NOT a sign from God. I was just fooling myself and creating a reason why I could have what I wanted.

It’s sometimes hard to recognize when something really is a sign from God, isn’t it? We put our own spin on circumstances, and conveniently draw the conclusions that align with our desires.

But there are some things that we can be absolutely certain are signs from God, because they align with His Word.

When you see the following “signs” in your life, take note and obey them:

ONE WAY: There is only one way to God, and that is through Jesus Christ.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NIV)

YIELD: Yield your will and desires to God’s will and plan, just as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane on the eve of His crucifixion:

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42 NIV)

NO U-TURN: Once you begin walking with God and serving Him, don’t go back to your old ways.

“No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62 NIV)

STOP/DO NOT ENTER: Follow God’s rules for a successful life by obeying the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 20:1-17)

DEAD END: The path of sin leads us nowhere good.

“Our desires make us sin, and when sin is finished with us, it leaves us dead.” (James 1:15 CEV)

MERGE: Be part of a community of faith, even if it’s only virtually.

“Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)

PAVED SURFACE ENDS AHEAD: We’ll inevitably encounter rough roads in our lives, but through the grace of God we can still make progress.

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)

NO STANDING/NO PARKING: If you find yourself in a difficult situation, don’t stay stuck: keep going! God will take you through it and bring you out safely to the other side.

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” (Hebrews 10:36 NIV)

ROAD NARROWS AHEAD: The Christian life doesn’t promise to be easy, but it will get you to the most worthwhile destination.

“But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Matthew 7:14 NLT)

END OF CONSTRUCTION: THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE: This is actually what Billy Graham’s wife Ruth has inscribed on her gravestone. Our “construction” as believers begins when we’re first born again. We never achieve perfection in this life, but God shapes us more and more into the image of His Son through an ongoing process of sanctification, until that day when our “construction” is finished and we go to forever be with the Lord.

Follow the “signs” and you, too, can reach your heavenly home!

© 2020 Lori J. Cartmell. All rights reserved.