No pillars for me
I remember the first time that I really understood that God talked to Moses. Until I read the bible first-hand *, I thought the burning bush–so nicely depicted by Cecil B. deMille–was the extent of God’s conversation with Moses. I expected the subsequent messages to be more like an unspoken whisper, or a tug of conscience.
But God spoke with Moses. Directly. Routinely. As He would to a friend.
When the Hebrews wandered the desert for forty years, due to their sin, God led them in the daytime by a pillar of cloud and at night by a pillar of fire. That was God in His glorious image, as least what we could handle of it. When they settled for a while, Moses went to the Tent of Meeting to fellowship with God. They spoke about national matters, tribal matters, personal matters.
Prayer is like that. We get to commune with God. I don’t claim that he talks to me directly. Though I have heard him whisper. Twice quite clearly. But his unseen hand has guided my path on many occasion. I see the results in my rear-view mirror.
No pillars for me.
I’m not quick to ascribe something as God’s will for my life. I’ve seen it used to manipulate others, excuse sin, and rationalize doing exactly what someone was going to do anyway. I’ve got enough trouble without using God’s name in vain.
One of my wonderful nephew’s graduated from High School this spring. Way to go, Jimmy! We were asked by his parents to send along some words of theoretical wisdom for him as he heads off to college. I’ll share one of my cultured pearls here:
Don’t be afraid to make a decision, but don’t be in a hurry either.
Give the decision over to God.
Get all the facts you can–notice I said facts, not opinions.
Ask for His direction.
Decide.
Then don’t bother second guessing it.
God always shows up. He won’t reach us each the same way. For one it’s a whisper, for another it’s a shout. Rarely have I been clearly on God’s path while I walked it. That’s why I keep a keen eye on my rear-view mirror.
* Read the book. Don’t wait for the movie.