Numbers 9:16-17 So it was always: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night. ¹⁷ Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, after that the children of Israel would journey; and in the place where the cloud settled, there the children of Israel would pitch their tents.

A cloud by day, and fire by night. What an awesome way to see God. The children of Israel sure had it good. They didn’t have to wonder where God was leading them. They just followed the big pillar of cloud and flames. How I wish God’s will was that obvious in my life sometimes.

The thing is though, they still had to follow. As blatant as a giant hovering cloud is, I suppose they could have seen a mountain range ahead and decided not to trudge over it after the cloud. Although God’s presence was obvious – they still had the choice to allow Him to lead their path. When facing major decisions (even minor ones), I pray often. I ask God to lead me. I pray that I would always seek His will for my life and its direction. Asking for guidance is only part of the equation though. Sometimes, the path He lays out for me doesn’t fit my own expectations. His answers are not always the ones I was hoping for. Even when I pray “Lord, your will be done”, I still really want exactly what I want. Isn’t God kind to give me the option to choose whether I’m going to follow Him, or forge my own way?

No, I don’t have a pillar of fire to look to when I’m struggling with what direction to take. But God is incredibly faithful. When I pray for my own desires to take a backseat to His leadership in my life, He seems more than happy to oblige. Following the Lord’s will isn’t always making what seems like the obvious choice. It isn’t neccessarily doing what’s easy or quick. God is much more interested in our character than our comfort. He wants holiness for us more than happiness. I wish I could take credit for those last two statements, but our guest speaker at church yesterday said them. It’s so true though. I think lately I’ve been operating by making decisions that make me happy. That most certainly that’s what God wants for me…right? I need to get back to the business of checking with God to see what His plans are. Instead of just going with what seems the most obvious to me.