Signs, signs -- everywhere signs

Somewhere buried in a box in my in-laws' home are pictures of a cross-country trip my wife and her family took one summer. Everytime they crossed a state line, they stopped and took a photo of her standing in front of the "Welcome to this state" sign. My wife says she does not remember much about the trip other than standing on the side of the road in the desert and feeling her flip flops melting under her feet.

State signs try to quickly share what is most important to the residents of that state. Signs like "Alabama: The Beautiful," "Welcome, We're glad Georgia's on your mind," "Florida: The sunshine state" and, of course, "Missouri: The show-me state." So, at a conservative 70 miles per hour you can summarize in five words or less what really matters to the state you're about to cross into. There are some clear markers in life that indicate where we have been, where we are going and what matters when we get there. Jesus in John 13:35 gave a clear maker for the church to display. He says,

"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

In other words, a marker of the church for those outside it is to see love within the church. It is love that is the distinguishing mark.

One of the greatest features of classic cars is the distinct detail that makes identifying its manufacture year possible. A 1955 Chevy had some distinct features separating it from the 1957. The taillight style separates a 1964 Mustang from the 1967. These were small but distinct markers to identify the year of the classic car.

What Jesus says is that the greatest marker of the church to show its distinctness is love in the church. This is how Christian people are identified. At least how they should be (which I can say because I am one).

Jesus says what matters the most is not the buildings, the programs nor the personalities but how love for each other in the church that speaks volumes to those beyond the walls.

This is the marker, the sign. The signs are everywhere. Just what sign are you looking for?

Robert Hurtgen is a husband, father, minister and writer. Read more of him at robhurtgen.wordpress.com