Skip to main content

Head'em up!

                In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted.  So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels. (Exodus 40:36-38)

          This is what I want: a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire at night, telling me when to set out and when to stay in camp. I want a sign from Heaven giving clear instructions about what I’m supposed to do. I want a John Wayne figure who regularly tells me, “Head’em up, move’em out!” (Even if John Wayne never did it in the movies.)

          Of course, if I had such clear direction, it probably wouldn’t help. I’d procrastinate getting started on anything because the moment I get started, the cloud would lift, and I’d have to put it all away. Better not to start…. Or, just the time I think I’m finally making some progress, He’ll settle over the tabernacle of my life. Grumble, grumble. I don’t like not being in control, and I especially don’t like it when I think I’m doing something good. It sort of puts God in a Catch-22. I’m not happy if He doesn’t clearly guide me, but I’m also not happy when He does.

          But this was one of the basics that God had to teach the Israelites, and therefore us. We follow Him. When the cloud doesn’t lift, I need to get busy doing the things I can do in camp and resting and trusting. When the cloud does lift, I need to be ready to go. Somewhere in there, I think there’s a balance or a line that I haven’t found.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The List

              Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,   through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;   perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:1-5)           Think about it. We have been justified. At least, we could be justified if we stopped insisting that our justification be based on our merits. We have peace with God, or could have peace if we stopped throwing temper tantrums. We have gained access into grace i...
Post a Comment
Read more

Listen!

  While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5)            Do you like roller coasters? I don't. You spend forever climbing a hill. You get to the top and have half a second, then you race down to a low point. Sometimes the racing down involves tying your insides into knots. At the bottom, you either have to be dragged up another hill or you get off the ride. Peter's life was a roller coaster from the time he met Jesus. There would be miracles, and then Jesus would teach things that didn't always make sense, and then they'd go out and perform miracles, and return to be taught. Peter was praised for giving the right answer to "Who do you say that I am?" Jesus said that said answer came from God. Peter was at the top of the hill.            ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Prayer Lists

                 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. (I Peter 2:2-3)   In connection with what I wrote yesterday about the possibility that I’m wrong, I’m feeling the need to go back to basics - craving spiritual milk because somehow, I missed something. It’s a little embarrassing, craving milk like a newborn, but the truth probably is that we are newborns many times in many ways in our lives. From God’s perspective, we may never be anything more than newborns, forever needing that milk. On the other hand, being a newborn can also be exciting because so much is new. My mind is playing pinball - ricocheting from one idea to the next and through six more before it happens to hit the third again. The main topic is prayer. I have at least seven organizing structures all somewhat influenced by the movie War Room , which I’v...
Post a Comment
Read more