In the Bible, there are different types of witnesses. Of course, there are people.
And there is a so-called "cloud of witnesses" (See Hebrews). But there are also other, less vibrant witnesses.
There are rocks, wells, hills, seven lambs and other contemporaries of non-human kind.
I asked my friend, "Why does it say in Joshua, 'let this rock be a witness.'"
His reply: It would be something that stayed around for a long time, so it would be like you are driving by the same lamp post, at some point and time, and recalling an interaction, promise, victory, a miracle that took place around that place.
So, it is man making a shared symbol for remembering. In the Bible, it was often to honor God.
This conversation, then, led me to think...
"What are some present-day symbols of God's intervention?"
Inhumane Witnesses
They lurk at every street corner, for a street corner can itself be a witness.
Sure, it has its bad days. But then there are those moments of Goodness.
There is when you needed to get something accomplished, so you prayed, "God, just keep that light green."
Although "it could be coincidence," a Spiritual red light goes off in your head. "No. God shall get the credit here."
So, an ordinary stoplight on an ordinary corner becomes a symbol of thanksgiving and answered prayer.
One day, maybe a looooong time after, you will hear that still, small voice from God: Remember.
Inhumane Witnesses
They trip us, as well as watch us. Steps. As much as we curse them, we ought to thank steps; rather, we need not forget God. Without steps, we could not conquer certain hills of promising defeat. Without steps, how could we arrive at Step 12 in a recovery? Remember, how you fell. Sure, it was embarrassing (note the pun, haha), but (another one?) remember how you got up. If you did, eventually, then you will recall you did, somehow. That is, someone helped you up. Or you found strength to laugh it off. Or perhaps you were seriously injured, but you are no longer in that fallen state. Yes, you are not so low anymore. And why? Well, ask those mangy steps, they're your witness. Was it not God, who led the Israelites out of their worst positions, was it not He who helped you, too. Did He trip you; rather, was it not God who gave you a lift while you were down?
Inhumane witnesses
They find us, too. Unlike most stairs and street corners, there are those witnesses who seem to chase us.
For instance, a backpack. It saw you through camp. It saw you through the long hike. It observed your first day of class.
But then it was lost, found by another, and then somehow got back to you. Lost n Found is what they called it, back in my day. Likewise, that which journeyed so far with you, and seemingly for you, it reminds you of God and His faithfulness... and how He is your Lost n Found. Indeed, when you cannot find where you are going, when you do not know the Path, God is aware and finding you. He tells you, you lost your way, you're no longer lost. You see, you are like the backpack.
When you spy a backpack, think of how God travels for you and with you and when you are "lost"-- He finds you, and takes you with Him. You do not have to go it alone. The backpack is witness to this, saying, "He is with you."
Inhumane witnesses, they can be anything and anywhere. Do we witness this fact?
Praise God, for He has provided-- and He provides witnesses for every occasion.
--IDEA
And there is a so-called "cloud of witnesses" (See Hebrews). But there are also other, less vibrant witnesses.
There are rocks, wells, hills, seven lambs and other contemporaries of non-human kind.
I asked my friend, "Why does it say in Joshua, 'let this rock be a witness.'"
His reply: It would be something that stayed around for a long time, so it would be like you are driving by the same lamp post, at some point and time, and recalling an interaction, promise, victory, a miracle that took place around that place.
So, it is man making a shared symbol for remembering. In the Bible, it was often to honor God.
This conversation, then, led me to think...
"What are some present-day symbols of God's intervention?"
Inhumane Witnesses
They lurk at every street corner, for a street corner can itself be a witness.
Sure, it has its bad days. But then there are those moments of Goodness.
There is when you needed to get something accomplished, so you prayed, "God, just keep that light green."
Although "it could be coincidence," a Spiritual red light goes off in your head. "No. God shall get the credit here."
So, an ordinary stoplight on an ordinary corner becomes a symbol of thanksgiving and answered prayer.
One day, maybe a looooong time after, you will hear that still, small voice from God: Remember.
Inhumane Witnesses
They trip us, as well as watch us. Steps. As much as we curse them, we ought to thank steps; rather, we need not forget God. Without steps, we could not conquer certain hills of promising defeat. Without steps, how could we arrive at Step 12 in a recovery? Remember, how you fell. Sure, it was embarrassing (note the pun, haha), but (another one?) remember how you got up. If you did, eventually, then you will recall you did, somehow. That is, someone helped you up. Or you found strength to laugh it off. Or perhaps you were seriously injured, but you are no longer in that fallen state. Yes, you are not so low anymore. And why? Well, ask those mangy steps, they're your witness. Was it not God, who led the Israelites out of their worst positions, was it not He who helped you, too. Did He trip you; rather, was it not God who gave you a lift while you were down?
Inhumane witnesses
They find us, too. Unlike most stairs and street corners, there are those witnesses who seem to chase us.
For instance, a backpack. It saw you through camp. It saw you through the long hike. It observed your first day of class.
But then it was lost, found by another, and then somehow got back to you. Lost n Found is what they called it, back in my day. Likewise, that which journeyed so far with you, and seemingly for you, it reminds you of God and His faithfulness... and how He is your Lost n Found. Indeed, when you cannot find where you are going, when you do not know the Path, God is aware and finding you. He tells you, you lost your way, you're no longer lost. You see, you are like the backpack.
When you spy a backpack, think of how God travels for you and with you and when you are "lost"-- He finds you, and takes you with Him. You do not have to go it alone. The backpack is witness to this, saying, "He is with you."
Inhumane witnesses, they can be anything and anywhere. Do we witness this fact?
Praise God, for He has provided-- and He provides witnesses for every occasion.
--IDEA