When we see orange barrels on the road, it is usually a sign of work going on.
If we see a bag of flour, eggs and measuring cups on the kitchen counter, that’s also a sign that someone is at work.
A car with the hood up and some tools scattered on the ground tell us the same thing.
These are all signs that someone is busy.
We can also see that in our lesson today. The Antioch church heard a word from the Holy Spirit telling them to send two of their leaders, Saul and Barnabas, to serve as missionaries. It called for acts of radical obedience, generosity and faith. Can you imagine your church sending its pastors on missions where the Spirit was leading them?
The response of the Antioch church was a sign that God was busy doing something beautiful in His broken world. God was transforming people into new creations, gathering them into new communities, and leading them to deeper faith. That, in turn, points to something bigger: God’s new creation!
Of course, that new creation isn’t fully formed yet (nor are we!). This will not be accomplished until Christ returns. Meanwhile all those who are in Christ continue to serve as signs that God is at work on something greater!
