In Exodus 3 Moses experiences the burning bush episode.  After this amazing event God promises him that he will lead the people of God back to the very mountain where he is standing: "When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain" (Ex. 3:12).  This is God's answer to a question Moses asked about how he could have confidence that God would be with him.  In other words the Lord tells Moses that He will be with him, but He is not going to give Moses the sign until after Moses steps out in faith. 

 And that is so much like us.  We want the Lord to show us a sign about some decision we have, a financial decision, a career decision, a relationship decision, and instead of a big sign, like a billboard along the roadway, we get little signs along the way. 

Now, if I had experienced a burning bush like Moses did I would have considered that a big sign, but Moses has a big job ahead of him, so I guess he needs some extra reassurance.  And if you follow the Exodus story closely you know that the Lord provides some small signs like a staff that turns into a snake and a hand that is healed of leprousy. 

That's the way the Lord works with us.  We may not have all the money we need to move ahead, but we have some of it.  That's a little sign.  We may not know all the details of a what a new job entails, but as the Lord opens a door we step through it.  And, then it isn't until later that we see how what we thought was a small door was a big wide open door.

If you are looking for a big sign, it might never come.  But, if you're looking for some small signs of the Lord's direction along the way watch and listen closely to see where He is leading you, and start moving out. 

I recently spent a little time in my home town, Elkader, Iowa, which has been devastated by the spring flooding.  As I walked through the streets I saw numerous homes which have been emptied and abandoned.  I got a kick out of one house that had a sign on the front door to deter looters: “Do you have a questions about life after death?  Step in here and find out the answer to your questions.”My dad showed me a pile of river mud about the size of a small house that was cleaned out of his horse barn, and even though his house was safe, the damage to his barn was plenty to deal with.

Floods, tornadoes, fires, and other kinds of disasters all take their toll on us in many ways.  But, tragedies should point us to our need to rely on God’s truth and strength.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash" (Mt. 7:24-27).

What are you building your life on?  Are you building on the shifting sands of your own thoughts and emotions or on the solid rock, Jesus Christ?