Lost in Flight?

"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 (NIV)-

     Have you ever taken a path or chosen a decision that requires faith you don't have...yet? Have you ever felt like Moses telling God that it can't possibly be you for this mission? You're not capable or wise or strong or whatever enough? Mostly, have you ever felt like the Israelites - walking in this barren desert wondering and hoping that you really are being sheltered? You're not alone. There are many of us who can identify with Moses and many who identify with the Israelites.

     We're in a seemingly abandoned place. We trudge on, exhausted, crying out to God. Take heart. He reminds us in Isaiah 40:29-31 (ESV) that:

"He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;

The most important lesson can be found in the next verse:

but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

The lesson so far: wait upon the Lord to renew your strength. You can be actively waiting. This means that while you are trudging through the desert, wait on the Lord in your more important decisions. However, in your daily literal walk, do as the Israelites did. Remember that God is leading the way both in the day and the night.

I love these lyrics by Mumford and Sons: "You can understand dependence when you know the Maker's hand. So make your siren's call and sing all you want. I will not hear what you have to say 'cause I need freedom now and I need to know how to live my life as its meant to be."

This is like a modern day portrait of the Israelites' journey through the unknown territory they had to travel. In life, we often travel not having a clue if we're going the right way, but hoping that we are following God's direction for us.

I find this especially important in the next chapter of Exodus 14:19 (NIV):

"Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel's army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them."

Have faith that as God tells Joshua, He is with you wherever you go. Take courage! When you no longer feel God leading you, it might be because he and the angel of the Lord's army has moved behind you to protect you from whatever is trying to come after you.

Try to also focus on the importance of the eagle. God could have chosen any animal, reptile or bird to represent how he would carry you, renew you and strengthen you. But he chose the eagle. Why? Think about it. Eagles place their nests up high on cliff edges far away from predators. They protect their young. Their vision is superior. They can be miles high and still see an ant on the ground. This means that as you are being strengthened, you are also acquiring great vision to see the little details in your decision making. Eagles also have incredible strength in their flight. When you being raised up on eagle's wings - I really urge you to watch a video of an eagle in flight. Try to imagine yourself holding on and flying with the eagle as you rest and wait on the Lord.

Friends, again, we do not have a weak Creator. He is wise, strong and loves us in an incredibly selfless way. He needs your trust.

Today, I pray that you will acknowledge God in all your ways. Thank him for traveling in front of you to lead you, moving behind you to protect you, strengthening you while you wait upon him, and lifting you to heights to better your vision and understanding. Rejoice!