I spent Monday at a retreat with some other area pastors at a United Methodist Church camp in LaGrange County. It was a great time of interaction and sharing thoughts. These were ministers from other denominations, but it was so heart-warming to hear their individual stories of conversion and calling. Inspirational!

At one point we scattered over the rustic campground, which was mostly wooded, for private devotional time. When we returned, one of the pastors was really excited that he had seen a sign from God. While praying about a problem he was dealing with, he observed a cardinal and blue jay sitting on a branch near each other. Now, blue jays are aggressive birds that will chase any other species away, and cardinals are non-aggressive and keep to themselves. But, here they sat together.

I don’t know what the pastor was dealing with, but this was received as God giving him a sign. It may have been relationship difficulties with his spouse, or perhaps a problem with his church or denomination. But, this was clearly a sign of unity for him.

What sign has God given you recently that delivered a message to your heart?

Tags: birds, message, nature, signs, unity