Signs

The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test Jesus they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' And in the morning, 'It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah." Then he left them and went away.

When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. Jesus said to them, "Watch out, and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." They said to one another, "It is because we have brought no bread." And becoming aware of it, Jesus said, "You of little faith, why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? How could you fail to perceive that I was not speaking about bread? Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!" Then they understood that he had not told them to beware of the yeast of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Matthew 16:1-12 

As the seasons change and winter bends in towards us, we look at the sky and wonder what kind of winter it will be. The early darkness is always foreboding at first, then we get comfortable with it and bundle up and head inside. We have learned what to do as the  seasons turn but often are helpless when the seasons of our lives changes. We want magic signs to guide us on our way, instead of trusting God is still walking with us. We are never alone and yet when things change we panic still.

The religious leaders of the day wanted everything spelled out and they wanted complete control. Control is the opposite of faith. The disciples thought they were in trouble because they failed to pack food. Jesus, their friend and teacher was warning them about trying to be in control and have everything ordered. He invited them, as he invites us, to walk each step with a faith that trusts in an abundant and loving God, one who walks with us and before us, even on our darkest days. We are never alone.

Today I ask God to give me the strength to take one step at a time, one day at a time as the seasons of my life change. May we each walk in faith, letting go of the need for control and giving God the glory for each blessing of the day.