LUKE 11:29-32
Signs are usually meant to give directions and provide information.
In January 2002, a lone man predicted a natural disaster that would affect the lives of so many people. Dieudonne Wafulah had been studying Mount Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for fifteen years. On January 8, he sent out an email to international authorities, alerting them of the impending disaster. Although the United Nations agreed to fund a survey team, it seemed too late. He also warned local residents that an eruption was coming soon through the local news paper. He predicted that the eruption was only days away. He was right. On January 17, 2002, Mount Nyiragongo erupted, pouring down three lava rivers that destroyed fourteen villages. Over the next few days, the lava made its way through the city of Goma. Unfortunately, many people either never received news of the imminent danger or chose to ignore it. Tens of thousands of people were left homeless and four hundred thousand were evacuated.
When Wafulah was asked whether the authorities and Goma residents would heed his warnings in the future, he responded, “Certainly. They will have to.”
Warning signs are everywhere. It is not just volcanoes that give off warning signs. In our everyday lives, there are often signs that act as precursors of future events. Signs which, if heeded, can help us avoid disaster. Sometimes we opt to ignore those small warnings until it is too late.
Throughout history, God has provided plenty of “signs” to show mankind the way to live, but most of the time we choose to go our own way.
God sent His Son as a sign (Luke 11:30), but the religious leaders in Israel paid little attention to His warnings. Life for them was good. They were recognised and respected. They also took exception to being told that they were wrong.
We can be like them. When life is going well, we tend to ignore warnings that we need to turn around and change our sinful ways. It is important to remember that we may be wrong even though life is good and God sends warnings to direct and protect us, not to punish or shame us.
* Lord help us to pay more attention to the signs You show us daily, especially in Your Word, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
