Guidance

Scripture: By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people." (Exodus 13:21-22)

Out of curiosity, I often find myself wondering about the things not described in the bible. Like, how big or how small were these pillars of clouds and fire? I have to assume they weren't gargantuan, but not so small the Israelites had to squint to find them, either.

But what I find interesting is that in order for the Israelites to get to where they were going, they had to constantly keep an eye on the pillar of fire at night or the pillar of cloud in the day.

It brings to mind how we need to keep our eye on God now. Where is He guiding your life, and by what means is He using? Back then, there was a lot of sand; a few mountain ranges, sand dunes, the company of friends. But there weren't a whole lot of other distractions like we have now. As the electronic age continues to escalate, with more and more gizmos to make social networking easier and all the more important, it's harder to keep an eye on God and His direction for our lives.

God continues to guide our lives as he did the Israelites. He gives us sustenance and provision. He promises to be with us in the good times and in the bad. He's with us when we sin and when we are doing good for others.

So how is God guiding your life? What means is He using to say, "Hey! Pssst! Over here!" What pillar of cloud or pillar of fire is He guiding you with? It's going to be different for each one of us. But it's important to know how God talks to you - otherwise - how will you ever know when to turn your ear towards Him and really listen?

Prayer request: Pray for guidance and for God to make clear to you how He speaks to you.

Prayer: Lord, reveal Yourself to each of us every day. Make us so familiar with Your quiet and gentle voice, that we never have to ask You, "Is that You God?" Guide each of us, and help us to be obedient to Your calling. Amen