As we enter this brand new year of endless possibilities, I believe that it’s important we strongly consider the importance of authenticity, being the person that we have been uniquely designed to be by God.  We must look at the importance of endurance, and trust in following God’s guidance, as we “Follow the Cloud to Purpose” in the context of the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness. We will draw parallels between the biblical account and the challenges we face today in our personal life journeys.

God led the Israelites with the pillar of cloud during the day and with the pillar of fire at night.  The wilderness was a time of God’s provision, protection, and purpose.  Now we too must follow the cloud to our purpose. As with the children of Israel, the Lord needs us to take some time to unlearn some of our old ways, so that we can have true worship encounters with Him. I think there are times that we underestimate God and how methodical and strategically He does what He does. 

We must go back to the story of the children of Israel leaving Egypt.  God was very strategic by not allowing them to go through Philistine country, although it was a shorter route. He knew that they were not ready to fight the giants and they would have wanted to go back to Egypt.  So, often today, God will take us the long way around, towards the Red Sea.  Some of us are currently standing at our Red Sea, patiently waiting for the waters to part, and then enduring to keep walking forward. 

Today, our God doesn’t want us to be held in bondage by the cares and chaos of this world. All we need to do is follow the cloud to purpose and ask the Lord to direct our next step.  At times, we may decide to go with what we know and wish that we had just waited.  We must learn to be content with where we are until the Lord says move. When we ask the Lord for advancement, elevation, or personal evolution, God will ask us if we can stand the inconvenience and the unexpected.

As a result, our plans will have to be adjusted. Our preferences may be standing in the way of what the Lord has promised us.  We must trust the wait and His way.  There are blessings that the Lord wants to give us, but we must follow the cloud, or we might miss our blessings… Remeber, our patience, endurance, and obedience are essential.