Journeying.

"Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it. But if the cloud did not rise, they remained where they were until it lifted. The cloud of the Lord hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so the whole family of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys."

Exodus 40:36-38

Last year, leading up to graduation, I answered the "What now?" question with the preceding verses. I gravitate toward grandiose adventures that fall through, and I ask myself what I'm doing.

So, here I am, looking at a cloud and standing in the desert.

The children of Israel took each step in their Father's footprints. If their will was not completely surrendered to following the LORD, they would die. They would be lost in the desert with no direction. They were hopelessly dependent on God.

In the wilderness, our options are obvious. We journey with God, or wander into the wasteland. Following God requires stubborn and relentless obedience.

And, as I am learning all of this, my friend posted Deuteronomy 8:2 on his Facebook page. It just hit home. "Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands. "

I am inconsistently obedient. God's grace covers me, and I accept it. I need Christ's atonement because of my humanity. The Holy Spirit is guiding me, pruning me, and leading me.

A line from a Rich Mullin's song plays in my head. "I can't see where you're leading me, unless You've lead me here: to where I'm lost enough to let myself be lead."

Pray that I will keep the humility, support, and steadfastness needed to follow in and through the wilderness.