The Messenger

For years now we’ve been spoiled with great newspaper delivery service. The current carrier took over the route from his brother who did an equally good job. Their service has been as regular as clockwork. I can’t remember them ever missing a paper and they have always managed to find my mailbox.

Recently our carrier went on holidays. Do you know how I could tell? The delivery pattern had changed. The temporary delivery person behaved differently. He or she didn’t seem to notice we had a mailbox. Although the paper was protected from the elements it just wasn’t where I normally find it. The Saturday paper came later than usual. Things just weren’t the same. The delivery pattern just didn’t have our regular carrier’s signature.

Now, I’m no expert but I suppose some of our behaviour might be set in our DNA. I believe our behavioural signature, like our hand signature, is subject to change as we grow. I think a lot of our actions come from what we learn. Our current carrier likely developed a pattern similar to his brother and much of what they both learned could have been passed along from the previous paperboy or girl. Some influence is undoubtedly parental, as well.

The life of a Christian carries a distinct signature, too. That autograph is that of Jesus Christ.

From the time we accept Jesus into our life as our Saviour, things begin to change. Teaching comes from the Holy Spirit. His role is beautifully described in a prayer to the Ephesians. “Glory to God, whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to God from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen”

When you believe, your life is signed by Jesus in an instant but the signature will take a lifetime to fully develop. “... he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  - Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

So how might you recognize the signature of a Christian? I would describe it as a sense of peace emanating from them. Perhaps they may seem less anxious of the circumstances they are in. Or, there might be a sense of gentleness about them.

Philippians 4:5-7 (NIV) ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Not long ago a friend recounted how she became a believer. It happened during a rough patch in her life. She met a Christian acquaintance in similar circumstances to her. The difference was the other person was handling the situation much better. She said this about the acquaintance, “I didn’t know what it was that made her different but whatever it was... I wanted it, too.”

God loves you so much. He will always be there for you.

1 John 4:9 (NIV) This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

But Jesus will not come into your life unless you ask him.

If you are suffering in mind, body or spirit. If you have tried to fill your life with all that the world has to offer and still feel something is missing in your life; I pray you will seek the signature of the One who can offer you the kind of peace that only God can give. Your life can have Jesus’ signature, too. – S.D.G.