Reading Signs

Reading Signs
Posted on Feb 28, 2016 in Devotions
 Author:  Kasey Flynn

Why do we learn other languages?  We learn them to help us effectively communicate with others.  I am learning American Sign Language (ASL) to be able to communicate with the deaf or hard of hearing.  I recognize that there is a distinct gap between them and the hearing community, and I want to be able to bridge that gap, as an interpreter.

Learning another language is very challenging. It’s easy to mix up words and misunderstand main points that people are trying to convey to you when you don’t speak the same language. You have to really train your eyes to see words in hand shapes. It gets confusing and I often mix up the signs. If you are not trained in the proper signing etiquette then you won’t know how to properly do the signs. Also if you’re trying to communicate with another person who doesn’t know or use ASL, they will take away a different message than what is intended. There is no certainty that the recipient is receiving the true message.

I’ve learned recently that’s how signs from God work too. There’s a lot of room for misinterpretation. People may think it comes from God, but they might just be making some vague associations. Learning to differentiate signs from God requires discernment.

Sign language is a form of communication. And God constantly wants to make a connection with us everyday to let us know that He loves us. You also have to train your eyes to see the symbols of His love through all of creation. And the absolute translation of his love is relayed in the Bible, and has come alive in Jesus. We would benefit a lot to exercise diligence in studying the Word to understand how God speaks.