How to lay out your fleece (jacket)
Before the weather started changing, my buddy Brooke and I talked about laying out our fleece. Brooke has quite a fleece jacket 
collection, dutifully photographed in her Georgia back yard for this article at my request. I still get very tickled picturing her doing so. The e-mail she sent along with the photos said, “Not sure what you had in mind, so I had my jackets do a little modeling in the back yard.”
Something serious was in question, however: ”Laying out our fleece” in terms of seeking discernment, like Gideon in the book of Judges. When we’re faced with an important decision or potential big change, how do we figure it out?
Here’s how I first became acquainted with laying out my fleece. In my 20’s I had been meeting regularly with my cousin Laura and a few other friends about the possibility of going to Panama to do youth evangelism. I didn’t want to let the others down, but I was considering backing out. My reasons were pretty sound: I don’t speak Spanish. I’m not much of an evangelist. The project involved clowning, singing and mime but I tend to be reserved. Plus, I was in a new job and didn’t have leave time. The time for respectably backing out was approaching but I felt torn about the decision.
Seeking guidance I phoned a campus minister I respect, halfway hoping she’d ease my conscience about quitting. “Why don’t you pray about it and ask God for a sign. Lay out a fleece like Gideon did,” she counseled. I hadn’t thought of that. I was unfamiliar with 
Gideon’s story and she had to explain. But I looked up Judges 6:36-40 and figured, why not try it? I asked God for a sign please, about whether I should go to Panama, confessing I didn’t know what to do. Then I had some dinner, went to bed and kind of forgot about it.
The next morning was a Saturday, and there was a knock at my door. It was my friend Heather, smiling broadly like she had a surprise. “Ami, I want you to meet my friend Desiree. She’s originally from Panama and she’s in town visiting me today.” How timely, I thought casually–and told the pair about my present Panama predicament.
That’s when Desiree began to tell me some of the things I would love about Panama. “You should go!” Her energy and enthusiasm were palpable. When they left, I felt more confident about Panama and lighter. My dread about going had more or less lifted. It wasn’t until a few hours later that I remembered asking God for a sign the night before.
My experience in Panama was very significant. It impacted the course of my life and I know that I was supposed to be there. Now I often encourage people to ask God for a sign– whether it’s about a specific decision, or rather for a sign of God’s presence and care. You see, God wants to be in relationship with us, and when we ask for some communication God readily grants it.
While I know that Gideon set his own terms about how God should respond (make the fleece wet, now make the fleece dry), I haven’t felt called to do that– it feel
s too much like “testing” God. I prefer to make the asking more general and let God get through to me God’s way. Surprising and refreshing, it comes in a way I would not have predicted (an enthusiastic Panama native on my doorstep within 12 hours, really?).
Sure, I could rationalize what happened as coincidence. Desiree would have visited Heather whether I asked for a sign or not. But why did Heather decide to share her guest with me? On the day after I prayed that? And for me to be home when they dropped by? And for Desiree to be so naturally exuberant? I am certain that God knew exactly what would counter my hesitation and orchestrated things accordingly.
See below and consider whether you might be invited to ask for a sign.
Asking for a Sign
- You can ask for a sign about an important decision you’re making, or for a sign of God’s presence and love.
- God wants to communicate with you and be involved with you (and already is!)
- Sometimes you have two good options and God is okay with either decision–you get to choose. Have confidence in your ability to make sound decisions; enjoy your choices.
- Let God communicate how God will, and be open to the unexpected (vs. you making demands or setting the terms of God’s sign).
- If you ask for a sign, watch for it and expect it (a.k.a. faith).
- When you receive your sign, do so with gratitude. Deciding it was “just” coincidence is less than gracious (in my experience however, God communicates in unexpected ways that leave less room for doubt).
- If something seems “off” or does not seem of God, don’t take it as your sign. When it is God you will know and it will feel peaceful and right.
- Let the experience you receive build your trust in God’s everyday involvement, care and delight in you.
- Keep communicating and keep watching for God’s continual presence and activity in your life.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…to him be glory. (Ephesians 3:20, 21).