Reading the Signs

“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.’” Matthew 16:2-3, NIV.

During a seven-hour bus ride from Chiang Mai to Chiang Klang, Thailand, I commented to a co-worker how it bothered my wife that she couldn’t read the signs because the Thai language uses a non-Romanized script. I bragged that I could live without knowing what the signs said because of my more laid back personality. That was until after we had been on the bus for six hours, and I realized that I had no idea where we were, because I couldn’t read the signs!

I called our destination on a cell phone. But, they couldn’t help me much, because I couldn’t give them much information, because I couldn’t read the signs! Laid back or not, I was beginning to get a little anxious. A Thai man sat in the seat across the aisle from me. He noticed that I was getting concerned, and asked to see my ticket.

He looked at the destination, and smiled. Pointing his thumb to his chest he said, “Same stop.” My anxiety melted into grateful relief. I had a guide who could read the signs. Soon we were at the correct stop, and I and my co-worker disembarked without trouble.

This experience reminded me of a few things. One, God doesn’t want us to brag or make fun of other people’s weaknesses. He humbles the proud, but gives grace to the meek. I learned that my wife isn’t so silly for wanting to know what those signs are saying! Two, at the right time God provides for our needs. He provided a Thai man who spoke some English and happened to be seated across the aisle from me so he could notice my distress and help me. And, finally, it’s a scary thing to be lost. Most of the Thais on the bus with me did not know God, and are doing the best they can to live life without Jesus. I was reminded how terrifying it must be to live life lost in the world.

As I climbed into the company pickup truck that came to collect us from the bus station, I whispered a silent prayer thanking God for the lessons He just taught me about reading the signs!

Pray that:

God will give Pacific Rim workers a humble spirit.

Believers will remember what life was like before they became Christian, and will have compassion and show patience to the lost.

The Northern Thai will realize that they are lost, and will turn to Jesus.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.