Send Me a Sign
Are you familiar with the movie Bruce Almighty? It’s a comedy about a TV news reporter who is facing a mid-life crisis and after unsuccessfully trying things his way he asks God to “send him a sign.” He is driving during his exchange with God. He passes a Road Construction sign with “Caution Ahead” – which he ignores. He’s passed by a truck full of warning “signs” – and I mean actual traffic signs. Stop, Dead End, Wrong Way, Yield, No Crossing, Do Not Enter. Signs that he, once again, ignores. The scene ends with Bruce challenging God, with the iconic – “Smite Me, O Mighty Smiter!” Why does he ignore the signs? Could it be because the answer is NOT what he wants the answer to be? What he expects?
Can you relate? Have you been there?
Reminds me of the Parable of the Drowning Man (from Psychology Today, 2009)
A storm descends on a small town, and the downpour soon turns into a flood. As the waters rise, the local preacher kneels in prayer on the church porch, surrounded by water. By and by, one of the townsfolk comes up the street in a canoe.
"Better get in, Preacher. The waters are rising fast."
"No," says the preacher. "I have faith in the Lord. He will save me."
Still the waters rise. Now the preacher is up on the balcony, wringing his hands in supplication, when another guy zips up in a motorboat.
"Come on, Preacher. We need to get you out of here. The levee's gonna break any minute."
Once again, the preacher is unmoved. "I shall remain. The Lord will see me through."
After a while the levee breaks, and the flood rushes over the church until only the steeple remains above water. The preacher is up there, clinging to the cross, when a helicopter descends out of the clouds, and a state trooper calls down to him through a megaphone.
"Grab the ladder, Preacher. This is your last chance."
Once again, the preacher insists the Lord will deliver him.
And, predictably, he drowns.
A pious man, the preacher goes to heaven. After a while he gets an interview with God, and he asks the Almighty, "Lord, I had unwavering faith in you. Why didn't you deliver me from that flood?"
God shakes his head. "What did you want from me? I sent you two boats and a helicopter."
I’m curious if you can relate? I can! I was “trapped” in a job that had sucked the life out of me. It had affected every aspect of my life – my physical and mental health, and my relationships with my wife, friends and family. I was broke and broken – in every way imaginable. “Trapped” – really? Trapped by my own pride, my surrender, my unwillingness to change and move on, and my every growing numbness and inability to rise up and seize the reins of my life. Sound over-dramatic? I’d like to say YES – but unfortunately, it is the truth.
Over the years – yes YEARS! – opportunities would arise that I would reject. Friends would encourage me – and I would push them away. A friend would kindly yet pointedly say that “we’ve been having this same complaining discussion for more than TEN years!” TEN years! TEN years that I will never get back!
I can happily report that I finally decided to “listen” and let go of the church steeple I had been clinging to and climb the ladder to the rescuing helicopter. A left the toxic, life-sucking job and I am RENEWED, REFRESHED, REBORN! Here is the most recent text message from the same TEN-year friend:
ME: BOY am I glad you “bullied” me into making a change! It’s a month already and I feel renewed!
FRIEND: I think its so great for you on so many levels. I believe The Lord opened this specific door designed for you.
I am SO glad I finally LISTENED and ACTED. I wish I had ACTED sooner but I can’t go back. Reminds me of the wisdom of C.S. Lewis – “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
My sincere wish for you – if you are in a toxic situation, a situation that is wrong for YOU – heed the signs and ACT for a better tomorrow!