Tuesday’s Devotion: Ignoring the Signs

Matthew 16:2-3  He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

Yesterday I attended the graveside memorial service for member Jeannette Huggins.  It was a small gathering of twenty or so family and friends.  The Rev. Charles Swaney who officiated was once in Mr. Huggins’ Boy Scout troop. It was the first service of this type that I’ve attended where a bagpiper (in kilts) piped before and after the service.
A couple standing behind me had two cute small children with them.  The little boy and girl were pretty quiet and well-behaved.  At the close they were sitting on the ground engrossed in some imaginary game. They paid no attention to the piper at all.  As I drove away I thought the children were representative of many people who ignore the signs around them.  Of course the signs of Christmas are pretty difficult to ignore, but the meaning behind Christmas is.  There are many people who are unaware of that meaning just like those children were unaware of the bagpiper.  Too bad that people get so engrossed in their own selves that they miss something so special. 

Gracious God, help us to reach out to those who don’t understand the importance of your Son. Help us to be witnesses to the light we have received.  We ask in Jesus’ name.  Amen.