Stop Signs: An Everyday Reminder of God’s Existence

Published by

meridith black

on

March 22, 2025

For the entire month of January, my husband and I were given the wonderful opportunity to teach four, 45-minute apologetics classes to 10-15 Middle School students…and we absolutely loved it! Teaching these students was a genuine honor!

First of all, it’s incredibly important that I define what Apologetics means.

“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,”

1 Peter 3:15

Also see: Jude 1:3, and 2 Corinthians 10:5.

Apologetics gets its name from the Greek word “apologia” which refers to making a reasonable case for a truth claim. Giving an apologia is something we all do, daily! Oftentimes, you might hear some folks make a case (apologia) for not giving a defense (apologia). Which only reinforces the necessity of apologetics.

When Steve and I were thinking upon the numerous evidences for God’s existence, and wanting to make these observations memorable for our students, a very unlikely resource came to mind: a Stop sign. That’s right— an everyday Stop Sign. 🛑 It was our hope that every time these kiddos saw a Stop Sign, he or she would think upon what they had learned…and that these evidences for God would encourage them (especially in times of difficulty).

First of all, we know that Stop signs are not illusions…but are very real. They can they be seen and touched, as well as remind us that the cars coming from other directions are very real.

Secondly, Stop signs can be objectively known by all people everywhere. My opinion about them does not change what they are. Stop signs will always mean “stop,” and they cannot contradict themselves (“stop” does not mean “go”). Stop signs remind us that objective, knowable truth exists…for all people, everywhere. [1]

Thirdly, Stop Signs have not always existed. Stop signs, like all of creation, had a beginning. In other words, they had a cause outside of themselves. The cause which created the Stop sign is not within the Stop sign but cares for (sustains) the Stop sign. [2]

This is like God! Our Triune God (Father, Son, & Holy Spirit) created the universe and everything in it…upholding the universe by the word of His power. God is both transcendent and present (Psalm 24; Ps 46:10; Col 1:16-18; Heb 1:3)

Fourth point: Stop signs demonstrate a designer exists! They have an intelligible messsge which we can understand (“stop”), they contain 8 sides, are red in color, and covered in easy to see reflective paint, and have a purpose. The intentional design of the Stop sign is a SIGN that someone volitionally planned and created these safety mechanisms! [3]

Lastly (but not least), the fact that we would need Stop signs points to the acknowledgment of a Moral law existing outside of all of us, but acknowledged by all of us. We may not agree about all moral issues, but we should all agree that right and wrong exist. [4]

Just cut someone in line at the grocery store— the reactions from those around you will reinforce that a transcendent standard of right is real (Romans 2).

With all of this being said, it’s my hope that whenever we see a Stop sign that we consider God.

“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” Romans 1:20