Not Easy To Follow

My wife and I were following some people in our car because we didn't know how to get to their house. We were in a large city with a lot of traffic. I tried to keep up, but eventually we got separated at an intersection. Fortunately, we were able to catch up by way of the cell phone.

I've had a few occasions in my walk with God where I felt like I lost Him at an intersection. He says "follow me." I've been preaching it for years. But there are some problems with following God.

He often leads in ways that are not easy for me to understand. His direction doesn't seem right. His timing definitely appears to be off schedule. Eventually, it all comes around. But in the mean time it can be a struggle trying to understand it.

He is unseen. God has been known to show up in a way that can be seen with human eyes. But for the most part He leads with whispers and gentle nudges. I have to be extra sensitive in order to follow Him.

He is always present with us. This is problematic in two different ways. First, I get so familiar with His presence that sometimes I'm just going along with my life and treat Him as a spectator or a travel companion. It's like He's just along for my ride. The second problem is that I think I need a little "me time" and that God is getting in the way. I've seen too many people fall in this way.

Exodus 40:36-38 (NIV) ³⁶ In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; ³⁷ but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. ³⁸ So the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel during all their travels.

I was thinking about what would happen if the Israelites left the camp and while they were gone the cloud moved. It would probably be easy enough to follow the tracks of a group that large. But they would have to pick up their pace and catch up.

In a modern scene we would get on the cell phone and triangulate our positions. With God, we just call on Him. We cry out for help. "Lord, here I am. I'm lost again. Help." And God shows up.

I don't always understand His ways and I can't see Him, but I know that He is always there, and that gives me comfort. I know that God is leading me according to His purpose and plans. And that is good.