Clouds...

I was in an art class this week with a friend. We were painting acrylic seascapes. One of the fun and more challenging moments was painting, more like swirling in, the clouds on our blue skies. Made me think of how we daydream through clouds and look for shapes in their fluffy, wind tossed shapes. While we were in class, a thunderstorm roared outside. A totally different formation of clouds that generated a different emotional response. It's  gently raining this morning-  dreary, soggy and wet, and yet very quiet. Another different formation of clouds.

Once God parted the Red Sea for the Israelites, it says in Exodus 13:21, "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."  To guide them on their way… so often, I am drawn into life's storms and forget that God is near when clouds are present… not just near, but guiding. Like the Israelites, I have no idea where He's leading, and that may make me anxious. Yet, in Philippians 4:6, it clearly says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." 

God can be trusted because He loves us more than we can imagine. He knows what lies before us and He promises to be there with us. He's near in the clouds. This week, let's look in expectation for God in our clouds and delight the adventure of His presence, even though we may have no idea where He is leading...