Two Steps Ahead
Exodus 13: 21-22 (NIVUK)—
‘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. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.’
Yesterday I described how I prepare for an event, so it probably comes as no surprise that I’m always trying to think two steps ahead. I like to imagine the problems that don’t exist yet (but might!) and try to solve them. Sounds impossible right? Occasionally, I avoid a few of the potential pitfalls when planning this way but it’s hard to try and predict every eventuality, and it can be exhausting.
Sometimes in our walk with God, we attempt to plan two steps ahead, thinking about where our careers are heading or where we might be in five years and we try to take control of it ourselves, rather than waiting patiently and trusting the Lord. Instead of feeling more confident about the direction of our lives, it can often leave us feeling worried.
In today’s passage, Moses and the Israelites continue on their journey towards the Red Sea. Guided by the Lord in a pillar of cloud and fire, they remain on the right course and make steady progress towards their destination, all whilst having no idea where they were going!
We don’t have a physical pillar of fire that goes ahead of us, but the Lord is still guiding us in all things. As Moses describes in verse 22, ‘Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people’. He is still the same steadfast God now.
Trying to think two steps ahead in life is not only exhausting, but also unnecessary when we follow God. We could keep striving, trying to figure out what comes next, but when we trust our future to God, we can enjoy the peace and freedom that comes with relying on someone who knows the path ahead.
Prayer - Lord, I pray that we find comfort today knowing that you go before us, illuminating the path ahead, so that even in the darkness, we can still see the way forward, just enough to take the next step.