January 27

Day 319: When the Cloud Moves

In Numbers 9 I read this morning of how when the cloud moved, the people had to follow. The cloud was God's presence, given to visibly lead the people for almost 40 years. Sometimes the cloud stayed in place over the mobile tabernacle for longer periods of time. And sometimes just for a night.

So it got me thinking; how did the people react, when they saw the cloud move? Or not move?

I'm guessing there was always more than one opinion. I'm guessing some camping locations were more prized than others. I'm sure some people enjoyed the process of packing up, walking, and then setting up camp again. While others resented the entire process of it all.

I wonder if there was always some grumbling amongst the 1.2 million people against the cloud (thus, the LORD) when it moved to a new location. Maybe others grumbled, because the cloud didn't move. Because they were people, there had to be at least some malcontents in the mix.

Alaska, for almost all of us reading this, is our home. Alaska, by nature of its allures, as well as its isolation and challenges, can cause deep discontent. Some love Alaska so much, they never want to leave. Others can hardly wait for an opportunity to vacate the state.

A phenomena I've noticed is where one spouse loves Alaska. While the other spouse wants out. Staying put thus frustrates one half of the couple, while the prospect of leaving will frustrate the other.

Some see Alaska as a perfect home, while the other may see it as a frozen jail.

Abraham Lincoln, quoting Scripture, once said, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." At the same time, collective contentment, within a country, or within a household, is not easily won.

We are initially drawn to consider contentment as respective to accepting present circumstances. Rarely, do we see contentment as necessary when in the midst of transition, especially when change has been forced upon us.

And if that change involves suffering, forever altering the life we have previously assumed to be our entitlement, no one wants to be first in line.

Some of us refuse to embrace change, because we want predictability and control. Others hope a change of location (or job, or marital status, or church affiliation) will make all things better, and finally give us the happiness we crave.

It may be that God introduces change into our lives because He wants to change us. And it can be that when God doesn't bring desired change to us, it's because He wants our outlook to be changed in our present circumstances.

Here in Alaska, we see so many clouds in the skies, it is hard to see "the cloud." Our 'cloud' comes in many other forms. And we allow other clouds to influence and lead us.

Sometimes, okay often, we each want to invent our own clouds to follow. We want to invent the cloud, and we want to determine when the cloud stays or moves on.

Isaiah 53:6 says as much. "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned - every one - to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all."

It is a serious challenge to recognize change on the horizon. Even more difficult to accept oncoming change. Especially when that change is not the change we wanted, or when we didn't want any change at all.

In the moment, we rarely know why God brings change (even suffering, even loss) into our lives. The Book of Job is an entire treatise on the subject. Even looking back in retrospect doesn't necessarily provide a full explanation.

The cloud in Numbers 9 didn't give prior warning. The people would simply awaken to see the cloud had moved. And they then had to pack up and follow.

The cloud did not provide guarantees, except those relating to the character of God, Himself. But they had to pack up and follow.

But follow the cloud we must. Follow the King we shall. Staying put when the cloud stays put. And following when the cloud is moving.

Even in our present age, even in our present Alaska-centric lives. Even as true contentment is likely the real battle ground for North American Christians. Maybe more so for Alaskan Christians.

And as a side note, Deb and I are going to follow the cloud to a couple nights away, away from work, and toward each other. Kind of like a couples retreat; except we're the only couple we invited.

We enthusiastically embrace this momentary change. It's how we're celebrating our own Alaska Day (the 30th of January, when

we first set foot on these cold shores 9 years ago.) I'll be back on this page come Saturday

-Mike Rydman, Lead Pastor, Radiant Church Juneau