Follow the Cloud, Not the Crowd

As I was reading the most exciting book in the Bible this week: Numbers, insert sarcasm :-). I saw something in a whole new light. In Numbers 9, Moses and the children of Israel are commanded to follow the cloud - a tangible representation of God's presence - wherever it led them. Now of course we all know that's what happened throughout the sojourning of the children of Israel: the cloud led them by day and the pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22). The key point which I had overlooked for so long in this passage was in verses 21-23. In it they were given specific instructions:

21 So it was, when the cloud remained only from evening until morning: when the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they would journey; whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud was taken up, they would journey. 22 Whether it was two days, a month, or a year that the cloud remained above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would remain encamped and not journey; but when it was taken up, they would journey. 23 At the command of the LORD they remained encamped, and at the command of the LORD they journeyed; they kept the charge of the LORD, at the command of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

This passage shows clearly that they didn't simply pack their things and start moving because it was a new day and then wrap it all up and stop because it was night time. They moved when He said to move and they stayed when He said to stay. Our lives are the same. We are truly not our own and we must remain in a posture that is humbly submitted to God's leading and direction by the Holy Spirit. Whatever season of life you're in, whoever you're called to care for or minister to, whatever your job is, whatever task or project you must take on, etc., know where you are called right now and be about following His will for your life. Just as the children of Israel, we need to follow the direction of the Father regardless of how we feel. Whether it's convenient or not, He knows the beginning from the end and has our best in mind. That means we need to stay when He says to stay and move when He says to move.

No matter what those around you are doing, it's imperative that you know who you are called to be, and what you are called to do as the Lord directs your steps (Proverbs 16:9). His ways and thoughts are higher than ours and He graces us to rise to the occasion (Isaiah 55:9). So in each day and in every season, always remember: follow the cloud, and not the crowd.