Your search is beautiful to me. I understand the confusion on signs and appreciate your seeking The Word for clarity.
Many people and churches say things like God doesn’t speak or give signs anymore. Logic holds that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He does not change. He 100% left countless signs in the OT and NT.
All this to say, I believe the sign for you was to pause and wrestle with the question, exactly as you’ve done and will do. I believe He is calling you into a relationship and I recall how confusing that can feel. I will be praying for you.
You deserve to know I found your post because I searched “God signs” on Substack. This, after getting some very clear signs while I was traveling this past week. Happy to share, if interested.
Ok. Here you go. Please understand that while He called me to make them public two years ago, these are more like personal journal entries than formal writing. Just me being the hot mess I can be with Jesus. For example- “#ISWYDT” is shorthand for “I see what you/Yah did there”. It’s the easiest way for me to search and find things for myself. 🤣
Be very curious what you think of the signs I shared.
I've missed some of your posts lately, and am catching up.
One question I've been thinking about lately is what do I expect in giving gifts? Is a gift given with any kind of expectation truly a gift? Or is the generosity behind it, however well-intentioned, tainted with my expectation of getting something out of it? A gift in return, a thank you, 'meaning', or whatever.
What if my gift, generously (even sacrificially) given, is thrown out casually after having a little obligatory lip service paid to it, as here in your example?
If there are any signs here, there are two for me:
1) the questions I raised above: my spirit, or God's Spirit within my spirit, challenging my motives and expectations in my giving and activity on others' behalf.
2) This is how God's gifts -- of whatever nature they may be -- are so often treated. By all of us. By me.
I agree with the comment from Brad. There is an honesty appearing that reveals an emergent depth in your writing. Here’s a parallel story from Bali. At various times of the day offerings are given to the gods at different levels from the ground according to the spirit’s nature and sphere of activity. Some are made directly onto the earth. When this happens I’ve noticed how dogs quickly took what they want from the offering, and then scattered the rest around, thus destroying something that was carefully and artistically arranged. I asked a Balinese friend if that bothered them, and was informed that the Gods are much quicker than the dogs, and have already taken what they want before the dogs get there. On reflection there was something rational here that I had completely missed.
Joseph, your posts are coming into an entirely new level as you are synthesizing your study with the deepest part of your life and your questioning. I’m moved and m motivated. My own writing here is skimming on the surface level of ideas. Yours is diving way deeper. Thank you!
Different tradition/religion, but the Buddha says that the best intention when giving is not one of material help but of making it an ornament of the mind (https://suttacentral.net/an7.52/en/thanissaro). The act of giving is beautiful in itself, and what the receiver does with the gift is on them, not something you need to worry about. You've still made the mind and the world more beautiful through your generosity.
Your search is beautiful to me. I understand the confusion on signs and appreciate your seeking The Word for clarity.
Many people and churches say things like God doesn’t speak or give signs anymore. Logic holds that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He does not change. He 100% left countless signs in the OT and NT.
All this to say, I believe the sign for you was to pause and wrestle with the question, exactly as you’ve done and will do. I believe He is calling you into a relationship and I recall how confusing that can feel. I will be praying for you.
You deserve to know I found your post because I searched “God signs” on Substack. This, after getting some very clear signs while I was traveling this past week. Happy to share, if interested.
Please share!
Ok. Here you go. Please understand that while He called me to make them public two years ago, these are more like personal journal entries than formal writing. Just me being the hot mess I can be with Jesus. For example- “#ISWYDT” is shorthand for “I see what you/Yah did there”. It’s the easiest way for me to search and find things for myself. 🤣
Be very curious what you think of the signs I shared.
https://mygodroom.com/2026/01/25/journey-to-journey/
I've missed some of your posts lately, and am catching up.
One question I've been thinking about lately is what do I expect in giving gifts? Is a gift given with any kind of expectation truly a gift? Or is the generosity behind it, however well-intentioned, tainted with my expectation of getting something out of it? A gift in return, a thank you, 'meaning', or whatever.
What if my gift, generously (even sacrificially) given, is thrown out casually after having a little obligatory lip service paid to it, as here in your example?
If there are any signs here, there are two for me:
1) the questions I raised above: my spirit, or God's Spirit within my spirit, challenging my motives and expectations in my giving and activity on others' behalf.
2) This is how God's gifts -- of whatever nature they may be -- are so often treated. By all of us. By me.
I agree with the comment from Brad. There is an honesty appearing that reveals an emergent depth in your writing. Here’s a parallel story from Bali. At various times of the day offerings are given to the gods at different levels from the ground according to the spirit’s nature and sphere of activity. Some are made directly onto the earth. When this happens I’ve noticed how dogs quickly took what they want from the offering, and then scattered the rest around, thus destroying something that was carefully and artistically arranged. I asked a Balinese friend if that bothered them, and was informed that the Gods are much quicker than the dogs, and have already taken what they want before the dogs get there. On reflection there was something rational here that I had completely missed.
Joseph, your posts are coming into an entirely new level as you are synthesizing your study with the deepest part of your life and your questioning. I’m moved and m motivated. My own writing here is skimming on the surface level of ideas. Yours is diving way deeper. Thank you!
Thanks!
I love your writing!
Different tradition/religion, but the Buddha says that the best intention when giving is not one of material help but of making it an ornament of the mind (https://suttacentral.net/an7.52/en/thanissaro). The act of giving is beautiful in itself, and what the receiver does with the gift is on them, not something you need to worry about. You've still made the mind and the world more beautiful through your generosity.