Signs from Heaven!
Jan 29, 2026 | by Dr. Darren M. McClellan
(They) came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them…In the morning (you say) ‘It will be stormy today….’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.
–Matthew 16:1,3
Dear Family of APUMC,
I love it when a good story comes my way. Might this be a sign of our times? Lord, help us in our interpretation!
According to reports from Ashlyn Mitchell of our local Fox 10 News,
“MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - A Baldwin County trash bin from Fort Morgan, Alabama, has made an extraordinary transatlantic journey, turning up thousands of miles away on Weymouth Beach in England—a discovery that has left officials and residents amazed at the power of nature’s currents.
Underwater photographer Ryan Stalker made the unusual discovery while conducting research on Weymouth Beach. The bin, still bearing its Baldwin County Waste Management serial number, is believed by local officials to have been lost during Hurricane Sally in 2020, when the powerful storm buried countless containers in the sand and scattered them across the coast with its devastating surge. Somehow, this particular bin—originating from Fort Morgan—survived the journey across the Atlantic Ocean, a testament to the far-reaching impact of major storms and ocean currents.”
How’s that for an analogy?
It bears powerful witness to the fact that when catastrophe strikes a community, the magnitude of the situation is never purely contained to a specific time and place. We might think that whatever happened ‘over there’ will never be ‘our problem.’ We might even thank God that we are not like ‘those people’ as we remain insulated from such suffering or grief. Most would say that is a rather comfortable position to take. It is certainly our natural preference.
But for those who do live it on the ground, there are losses that linger well after the public reactions, responses and resolution efforts. Often, the breadth of trauma is far greater than any of us might dare to imagine. Even when we think that we have cut our emotional ties and “moved on” for the most part, one can never be too sure when the reality of those casualties will reappear.
This story can speak to our inner storms, too. How often we deceive ourselves into thinking “I got this” and that no one else will even notice whatever winds or waves may be tossing about within us. Or perhaps we have convinced ourselves that some traumatic event happened years ago, and so it doesn’t really matter now, only to be shocked to discover that our unaccounted for emotional garbage–our unprocessed pain–was never really taken out, but has now shown up unexpectedly on someone else’s shore (and sometimes even a generation later).
In all of the gospels, Jesus is quick to illustrate just how out of sorts we can be when the storms roll in. No matter if we saw them coming or not, they have a way of leaving us exposed (Mt. 8:26).
I wonder what that neighborhood in England thought or felt when they found that mysterious trash bin. What a story its owners must have to tell! I think it is remarkable that those who were willing to retrieve it were curious enough to track down its origin, or even cared enough to ask. I don’t imagine that too many people from Weymouth Beach have ever heard of Fort Morgan, or vice versa, but now that we have, it does make the world seem smaller.
I am encouraged by the idea that God would use our storms–and even our trash bins– to remind us that we are not alone in this world. Even after the first responders have gone and the reporters have hurried off to chase the next headline, there is always more to the story that is still worthy to be redeemed.
Might we be comforted by this sign: that no matter the storm, God is still creating the underlying currents to carry us through our chaotic waters. That which is lost will be found. It may be returned, or perhaps even recycled for some new and more meaningful purpose.
Even in the aftermath, the Spirit is at work! With each new Epiphany, and through the most improbable of journeys, we are restored, reconfigured, and reconciled.
This Sunday, the people of APUMC will be gathering to worship in two locations. Rev. Jennifer will be celebrating with a team of children and parents at the Winter Retreat at Blue Lake this weekend. While some of you will think them crazy for setting forth in this weather, let us nevertheless pray for the hundreds of children and servant leaders who will come together for this great event. Let us also pray for the hot water heaters in the cabins! Baby, it’s cold outside!
I look forward to worshiping with you at 15 Wisteria Avenue for our 9:00 and 11:00 services. You can be sure there will be some ‘foolishness’ for us to explore there, too (1Cor. 1:18-31).
For Christ,
Darren