Moses said to God, “Suppose the people don’t believe me?” God said, “Take the staff in your hand, and throw it on the ground.” So Moses threw the staff on the ground, and it became a snake. Moses recoiled. Then God instructed, “Reach out and seize the snake by its tail.” Moses grabbed it, and the snake became a staff again. (Exodus 4:1-4, adapted)
I would’ve walked away from God’s calling the moment that staff turned into a snake.
Nope, no, no thank you, not happening, hard pass. I’m out, God. No snake signs for me.
I’d prefer a purring cat sign. A windy whisper through the trees sign. An open window, closed door sign.
Maybe there’s no heavenly reason for God to exclude snakes from the potential list of divine signs, but to my mind, there’s no earthly reason for them to be included, either. Plenty of other options!
Jesus was often troubled by people’s preoccupation with signs: The false prophets who made a showy spectacle of signs. The disciples who anxiously asked how to recognize the right signs. The crowds that followed him for the thrill of gawking at signs. The doubters who demanded on-the-spot performative signs.
They all wanted signs to be answers. Undeniable answers. Preferably, undeniable answers they already knew.
Instead, Jesus pointed to signs that raised questions. Signs that challenged assumptions. Signs that interrupted routines.
Like a snake on the ground, stopping you in your tracks.
Like a loud clap of thunder, overwhelming you with awe.
Like the return of sunshine after a storm, revealing plainly the damage all around you.
The question is not whether we recognize a divine sign, but whether we accept its divine interruption.
Prayer: Grant me a receptive spirit, O God.
cross-posted with the UCC Daily Devotional