Show Me the Way
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. Exodus 13:21
New technology intimidates me. I gave up a long time ago trying to operate the electronic contraptions in my home. I drew the line when our assortment of remote control demons would no longer fit through the couch crack, the black hole for remote control devils. Ten poltergeist gadgets to operate one component? That was too much exhuming through the crumb abyss to turn on the TV. It's easier to holler at my adolescent apparatus expert. I'm not sure what I'll do when he moves out. Maybe by then Geek Squad will offer a convenient monthly service plan with step-by-step voice commands.
You laugh? That's exactly what OnStar is. Turn-by-turn voice-commanded directions guaranteed to get men where they need to go. Really, OnStar is only for men. Women already know where they're going. But men need this device. Inferior hearing mechanisms have often made it difficult to listen to a real women. That's where an electronic lady comes in handy.
This is why I'm in no hurry to get an implant in my vehicle. I'd rather my husband pay attention to my voice. Hmm...I wonder if that is how God feels. Do our inferior hearing mechanisms clogged by diversions and distractions and our own agendas and activities make it difficult to listen to a real God?
The Israelites were hearing impaired. When God led them out of Egypt, He had to develop communication equipment in order to get them to the Promised Land. So poof! He engineered the first GPS, a unique Global Pillar System that utilized theophany, a manifestation of God appearing in physical form. It featured an onboard command center and pillar-guided navigation. A cloud escorted the heroes of faith by day and a pillar of fire staged as a tight nightlight. This pious pilot displayed each and every turn until the gallant group arrived at their destination. All they had to do were follow the prompts.
The Hebrews had the manifest presence of God to direct them. The cloud and the fire duo acted like a team of traffic cops signaling which way to go. No thinking required. No goof-ups. No misunderstandings. And if they tried to go the wrong way, the impenetrable post prevented wanderings. Hard not to be jealous of a gig like that.
Have you ever wished that you had a pillar to follow? I have. It would be nice to have a spiritual compass to help point me on my way. Why couldn't I live in a day and age where God was visible? It would simplify things when I need direction. Then I could follow without question instead of having to guess whether or not I heard the voice of the Lord.
As it is now, half of my dialogues with the Lord end in debate with my three best friends-Me, Myself and I. Was that really God talking or just Me, Myself, and I on three-way? Do I go this way or that way? Which is it Lord? Is that You or the voice of the enemy?
Today I met Andrea when I sat down in the auditorium to listen to my son practice with the church youth band. It was Garrett's first practice, so when she recognized me as the newbie mom, she introduced herself as Lorelei's mother. After the usual background info exchanged with a new acquaintance, it seemed our conversation was guided by an unseen power. I was in the midst of redesigning my website so when she mentioned that she worked for a company that develops ministry sites, I was all ears. I had questions and she had the answers. I needed expertise and she was the expert.
When the band finished its practice and I was on my way home, I pondered the advice from my new friend. I thought about all the times that I had instantly connected with a stranger. I thought about my other divine unions, mystery mergers, a-ha moments, God-things and coincidences. And then I realized...I do have a pillar to follow. These were all visible manifestations of God that gave evidence of His direction and pointed the way to my destiny.
Later, I repented of my jealousy of the Israelites. They may have had the presence of God in an external pillar form, but I have something far more valuable. Today the presence of God dwells within my heart and the hearts of those who have embraced God's son, Jesus Christ. Through our personal relationship, He gives us all the steer gear we need. And that's good news for me. I guess I won't need the Geek Squad after all.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you that your presence surrounds me. Help me to be mindful of your direction in my life and obedient to follow where you lead.
© Christy Johnson 2008, All Rights Reserved
