Follow the Cloud

Exodus 40:36-37

Decision making can be a tricky process. Tension builds as the decision looms closer and closer. The bigger the decision, the greater the tension. As the tension increases, so does blood pressure.

Where do I go next? What should I do? Is this job the right one for me? Is she the one? What is my calling? How should I discipline my children? Should I keep praying or should I go do the chores?

Life is full of questions and decisions of all shapes and sizes and it's easy to get overwhelmed sometimes. However, I think there is a great principle that we can learn from the way the Israelites did business in the wilderness. They followed the pillar of cloud and fire, without hestitation. If the cloud stayed, they stayed. If the pillar started lifting in the middle of the night, they started packing and got ready to move. The people of Israel didn't move an inch until God commanded it. The people Israel didn't stop moving until God commanded it.

We need to be mindful of the pillar of cloud and fire in our lives. If it's not visible, maybe the reason is that we're facing the wrong way and we need to do an about-face (repent). Perhaps the reason we don't see the cloud sometimes is that we aren't looking for it. Or maybe it's because we've wandered too far afield of God's purpose for our lives because we didn't stop when he said to; or maybe you stopped too early. If you have received direction for your life in the past but haven't heard anything for a while, it could be that God just wants to see how well you can follow his direction without prodding.

Keep the cloud in sight and don't lose track of the fire. Otherwise, you'll end up lost in the wasteland.

How do we keep track of the fire? Well, what did the Israelites do? They meticulously maintained their tabernacle every day. In the New Covenant (New Testament), the early church continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine daily, and in fellowship. Continue reading the Word of God, praying, learning from your spiritual leaders and mentors, bearing one another's burdens, and the cloud will be much easier to track.