Serve Him by Serving Others

“Signs and wonders,” he told me. “You need signs and wonders.”

I knew what he meant: miracles of physical healing that are well-publicized. What I could not seem to convey to him is that signs and wonders are all around us – just not the type he was seeking. Many of the signs and wonders of our time are not exciting, but frightening. Rather than welcoming them, we find them disturbing. You want some signs and wonders? Try these: national economies in turmoil, with the European continent on edge; wars in the Middle East and the threat of a nuclear armed Iran and North Korea; garbage and waste from large cities being transported and dumped into landfills or the ocean; families strained to make ends meet and institutions to help the poor struggling to survive; betrayal of spouses and children proliferating through adultery and divorce, creating a class of people who lack the security provided by a stable family and home environment. There is more, but certainly you catch the drift. Personal difficulties have reproduced exponentially, becoming social predicaments that affect us all.

But since these signs are not immediate, some dismiss them as merely “problems”. Problems they are, to be sure – but rather significant (“signs”) and overwhelming (“wonders”). Signs and wonders were never meant to entertain us. Regardless of the nature, signs and wonders were always intended to call a person to faith in God – and then to an obedience to God. Having gotten our attention by the sign, God then would urge us to continue in a lifestyle of service. For example, these words from Romans 12 are important in this regard: “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service…” (Romans 12:1).

Did you catch a few of those words? How about “sacrifice” and “holy” or “acceptable”? Does this verse sound punitive to you, or as though God is depriving you of your personal liberties? If so, you are as wrong as can be. As we move along through life there is something we all encounter: unhappy people. Lots of them. Most if not all of them are persons who thought they knew best what would make them happy – and they pursued those things. But in the end, even having achieved those things, their lives are unfulfilled and unhappy. My question for you: “Don’t you think that the Creator knows what is best for the created ones?” Don’t you understand that God knows better than you what will bring real happiness and fulfillment to you? Of course He does!

Signs and wonders abound – and anyone can see them. What we really need is for the church to adopt its prophetic voice and announce to the world where we are headed if we do not repent. Add to this the message of the Old Testament prophets that God is merciful and will accept and restore us if we turn to Him and perhaps we will see a turning, a revival in the land.

In the meantime, God calls us in these times to faith. During these times of troublesome signs and wonders, He calls His church to obedience. He lies before each of us an opportunity –

to serve Him by serving others.