In God's Time...

As I’ve been working my way through the story of the Israelites in the wilderness, I noticed today the importance of being led by God.

Not advised by Him.Not occasionally nudged by Him.Led!!

In Numbers 9, Scripture tells us that whenever the cloud lifted from over the Tabernacle, the people would break camp and follow it. And whenever the cloud settled, they stayed.

Sometimes the cloud stayed for a night.Sometimes for days.Sometimes for months.Sometimes even a year.

There was no predictable rhythm.No calendar invites.No five-year vision board.

Just obedience!

Can you imagine living that way?!?

Unpacking fully… knowing you might repack tomorrow.Settling in deeply… knowing it may not be permanent.Staying longer than you’d prefer… simply because the cloud hadn’t moved.

It makes me reflect on my own seasons.

There have been places I struggled to stay.

Places I outgrew. Places I loved.

Places I never expected to leave.

And if I’m honest, sometimes I’ve wanted clarity more than I’ve wanted surrender.

Years ago, I was gifted a piece of wall art that said, “She leaves a trail of glitter wherever she goes.”

It still makes me smile!!

But as I think about the cloud and the wilderness and the constant moving and staying… I realize I don’t just want to leave sparkle. I want to leave something eternal!

If I’m going to unpack and repack my life at the Lord’s command…If I’m going to plant my feet in places for a night or for a year…

I want to leave ripples of Jesus’ love wherever I go.

The Israelites weren’t told why the cloud moved.They were simply told to follow.

That challenges me!!

Because being led by God requires something of me:

Trust when I don’t see the full map Patience when nothing seems to be happening

Courage when it’s time to move

Grace when it’s time to stay

I don’t want to run ahead of His presence.

And I don’t to run behind...

I want to notice Him.

To be attentive.

To live fully present where my feet (Bob Goff) and be fully ready when He says, “It’s time.”

Time is always a gift.

Seasons are assignments.

Movement is sacred.

Stillness is sacred.

Whether I’m camping or traveling, I want to live well in the place He has me...

loving the people near me, imperfectly but intentionally. Leaving more than a shimmer behind… leaving a trace of Jesus wherever I’ve been.

Because if I’m being led by Him… then even the wilderness becomes holy ground. Whatever season you are in, dear grown up... embrace it and be led by the glory of the Lord!!