The god who gives signs

We have a God Who understands the need of people for signs, especially over crucial matters of decision-making. Throughout history, God would give signs to guide His people. The earliest sign was that of the rainbow. God gave it to Noah to indicate that there will be no more global flood like the one that inundated the entire world in the time of Noah (Gen. 9).

The fulfillment of the promised salvation for sinners was announced by a tremendous sign: a virgin shall conceive, and give birth to a son. (Isaiah 7:14).

Kings and armies would ask for a sign from the Lord. The sun would stand still, shadows would move backward rather than forward. Gideon asked for signs as to whether he really had a fighting chance to defeat the Midianites.

The God of the signs confirmed this even about the second coming of Christ. In the great Olivet discourse (Matthew 24), Jesus gave the signs of the times that would precede His coming.

Recently, I found myself consulting God over a very major and crucial issue. I asked for a sign to confirm what I thought and felt was an indication to move forward. The possibility for that sign being fulfilled was very difficult. My wife insisted that it be one of the signs that would confirm the correctness of our direction.

The sign came.

Last year, we asked for one of the signs. It also came.

Not that all the signs that we ask for come. Once, I prayed to the Lord to allow me to accompany my newly-widowed mother back to the States so that she would have someone to talk with in the plane during the 18-hour flight to New York. But that prayer was, from the earthly point of view, denied. (I reckoned, perhaps God wanted to talk to my mother Himself, one on one.)

A few more signs are needed. God is patient with His people. Often, one sign would not suffice since human beings are naturally weak and predisposed to doubt, especially the impossible. But we thank God that He is considerate with His people, and that He responds to their requests for signs to guide them along the paths of life.

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The candidacy of Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan is being seriously studied by followers of the independent path to political office. His dramatic improvement from top 5 or 10 to number one when he declared independent, eclipsing even the beauteous and famous Loren Legarda, is one for the books.

I believe, all over the country, people have a genuine hunger for deliverance from traditional politics. Traditional politics has become very expensive, very costly, very very prohibitive. Whether national or local, the budgetary requirement is always in the millions of pesos. A presidential election requires a budget now of over a billion.

I believe there is a change in the temper of the times. Not that traditional politics is completely rejected. But that there is now more openness on the part of the people to give independents a chance.

I pray this will be indicated in the vote that the Kapatiran candidates will receive. I also heard that there is a very qualified independent candidate for senator from the Philippine Green Party, whose primary focus is the environment.

I hope the people will give them a chance.

I also hope that media will give them a chance to be heard.

I like what the U.S. Marines say. "The difficult we do at once. The impossible will take a little time."*