It was the last day of our vacation. How had it gone so quickly?
I was out of bed at 5AM. The comforting aroma of the coffee dripping enveloped me as I waited for my first sips to fully awaken me. The kitchen was dark as if it was the middle of the night. The water and mountains were still and black until about 5:40 when the sun began to rise.
I read my Jesus Lives devotional, several times, for what God would say to me in this moment …
“My Presence continually moves along before you – keeping you from stagnating and showing you the way forward. In spite of the difficulties of the arduous trail you are following, your success is certain: I will be found by you!“Â (pages 88-89)
We would be leaving, going back home and the days ahead are unknown to each of us. We think we know what they hold but, in actuality, this is presumptuous of us as we truly do not know at all.
I turned in my Bible to read, in Exodus, where God promises to go with His people. They wandered in the wilderness, longer than ever originally intended, and yet God went with them. He gave them a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. They were in the wilderness, en route to the promise, not sure of the way. The only sure thing was that He was with them.
As the sun rose (which was just beautiful FYI) and the burst of orange spread over the lake and mountains, I remembered He is also with each one of us. We each are desirous of “success” in the days ahead and for each of us, I imagine “success” looks differently.
And here’s the thing … the only “success” which is certain is that He will be found by us as we, individually, seek Him. So if success is finding Him, think of this … He was found in the cloud and in the pillar of fire. He looked different at different times of day.
I cannot help but wonder this morning if part of our problem is our own expectations. Our expectations of what He should be, what He should do and how He should do it can keep us from finding Him. In other words, we are looking for the pillar of fire when He is the cloud or looking for the cloud when He is in the pillar of fire.
My prayer for the days ahead is simple … May we each experience the success of simply finding Him in our days.
No expectations.
However He is found.
In the cloud and in the fire.
Simply find Him.
Today I am joining with … Unite and Testimony Tues. and Playdates With God and Titus 2 Tues. and Titus 2sday and Coffee for Your Heart .
Hi Joanne, thanks so much for your visit to my blog. It’s great to visit yours and get acquainted. I want to know HIM today too. More than anything.
I love finding new blogs to enjoy & to make new friends 🙂 May we both come to know Him better as we seek Him above all else!
This very much reminded me of the message Lisa-Jo Baker gave at Declare. What a delight it was to hear her speak live. If I had my notes with me I’d leave you with one of her powerful quotes. I will try to remember to come back later. Always a joy to come here to read what God has placed on your heart to share with us. Sorry I don’t get by for every post but know I’m grateful for you. You bless. xoxo
And I was not at Declare 🙂 I would have so enjoyed hearing her speak! Beth, there is never a need to apologize. There are so many wonderful blogs to read & only so much time in a day. I am grateful for the days & ways in which our God crosses our paths! xo
Blessings, Joanne! Oh, yes – I’m following but sometimes that cloud can be foggy and the fire hot. Either way – it’s the only Way and blessing is in its wake. Lovely blog – so blessed to visit you and many thanks for dropping by my place at The Writer’s Reverie. Following you on Twitter!
Joy!
Kathy
Kathy, so very true – foggy or hot – it is the only Way. So glad to have “met” you!
Beautiful, Joanne! I am especially embracing His idea of success with no expectations but to love and trust Him. Thanks for the great reminder!!
Your comment made me realize -> He makes it simple – love & trust. It is our expectations which makes it difficult. Grateful you shared!
No matter, either way, we just follow. This was so beautiful. I recently witnessed the most glorious sunrise and love putting that image with your thoughts. ♥
Isn’t it amazing how our God displays Himself in a sunrise! So glad you were blessed with His glory!
I loved this- Thanks so much- spoke to me this morning!! Stopping by from Holley’s link
Grateful that it spoke to you & for your visit! May you have a great Wed.~
Love that He is found wherever we are looking! And love your faithfulness to link up with us at Testimony Tuesday each week! xoxo
Holly, may we both continue to be amazed at where we find Him 🙂
Yes, I want to seek and find Him where HE wants to be found!
Sarah, the thing is, He truly wants to be found everywhere 🙂 May we be amazed at where we are able to find Him for then we will continually be amazed by Him!