In the Clouds...

I love cloud watching. Call me what you want, I enjoy a nice breezy Saturday afternoon laying int he grass watching the clouds. I remember as a kid laying in the grass and just looking up. Often times I was in awe. I couldn't understand how they were all up there, and how was it the sky was blue, why was it the moon was out in the afternoon? All these questions and at the end of the day all I could do was look up at the clouds and watch. They were amazing to watch. I loved every second of it. One minute you had a horse riding through the valley chased by a bear and the next minute a dragon or a whale, or some other crazy image your mind could conjure up. The coolest part was when someone else was with you and they too saw the same thing. Then you knew for sure you weren't crazy. The clouds were an awesome thing to observe, they had no explanation, they just were.

Sure my science teacher ruined clouds when she went off and explained they were caused by the weather cycle and accumulation of vapor and blah blah blah, however, she could never explain to me why it was they looked like buffalos, dragons, and eagles. So why all this talk of clouds, well because no matter where you are, a cloud can always be seen, and every time you look, you can't help but wonder how or why. You can't help but stand in awe at them. When the children of Israel were led out of Egypt and they journeyed some time in the wilderness, it was a cloud by day and fire by night. Following the clouds, those form changing sometimes vague looking clouds, they in faith continued after what they were told was the Lord leading them. Sure someone else might call them crazy for doing such a thing, however, they had the word of the Lord with them, and with that word came a promise. A promise of protection, provision, and ultimately His providence.

Life has its twists and turns, some days you don't feel like doing much of anything, other days, you're "ready freddy" as Pastor Jose often says. So what do you do on those days you feel down? What do you do on those days you feel weary, the days when you feel like you're in the wilderness and you don't understand why? Those days where you find yourself smack in the center of a God-ordained desert? You look to the clouds. You look up, you look straight at the awe-inspiring creation of the Lord, you follow Him. Sure you're not 100% on why it is you're doing what you're doing, but the Lord did tell you that in time, you would indeed receive the promise, all you have to do is remain faithful and obedient. It's no easy thing to do, especially when the world looks on and tells you you're crazy, however, when God is leading, you know that it won't be long before you cross the Red Sea and enter into the land which He has promised you. When you get there, don't be so foolish.

When the children of Israel got to the edge of the promised land, there they stood, ready to enter, the Lord promising them the land, the Lord leading them the whole way through the desert, cloud by day, fire by night, manna and quail in between, and what did they do? They squirmed. They came up with a list "Reasons why we can't enjoy the promise of God." So there are giants in the land, so there are enemies, so you might get a little roughed up, don't worry, rest assured that "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil 1:6b).

God is a God of order, not confusion, and while sometimes we don't quiet get why He has us doing a thing, or why it is we think His timing is off and we need more time, He tends to think otherwise. His ways aren't our ways, nor are His thoughts ours. Rest assured in the love of Christ and forget everything else. It is in Him and His promises alone that you'll make it out alive. When He says a thing, He is sure to see it through, He doesn't just do things to then drop you, that isn't His way....

Psalm 111:5 He has given food to those who fear Him; He will ever be mindful of His covenant.

And remember, He is faithful, and that faithfulness, stretches to the clouds Psalm 36:5