“Whether it was two days or a month or a longer time that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, resting upon it, the Israelites would remain in camp and would not set out, but when it lifted they would set out.” Numbers 9:22

In this passage, God is leading the Israelites in the wilderness after releasing them from captivity in Israel. This small passage demonstrates a few important aspects of faithful ministry. First, the Israelites are away from everything that they know and still God is making a way for them. There is a cloud that covered the tabernacle by day and a fire by night. Sometimes we find ourselves saying “Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and in the wilderness.” But this passage is clear – Moses might have been a conduit for communication, but God was communicating clearly with all people.

Additionally, I love that verse 22 points out that God’s leadership and timing does not always make sense to us. One would think that there might be a typical pattern of movement, especially in the wilderness on the journey to Canaan. But instead of a regular routine of on & off days, God led them to rest for days, to a month, to more to rest.

Sometimes, God tells us “not yet”. Sometimes, God leads us and asks us to quicken our pace. Other times, God might direct us to pause for so long that it feels like we will never improve or progress further.

Yet, the journey God has called us to continues. And we journey, regardless of the amount of visible progress. Our waiting is a part of our journey. Our resting is a part of God’s purpose for us. In the past year, many of us have navigated difficult moments that have felt like God has led us to a stopping place. Whether through illness, injury, the passing of loved ones, employment difficulties, all of us have felt the difficulties that come with a door being shut or our pace being halted.

My encouragement to us all is that we do not journey alone. Just as the Israelites had God leading them, we walk in response to God’s guidance. But also, the Israelites traveled together as a people. We at Hardinsburg UMC travel through life as a people. So in this newsletter, you will see many ways in which you can travel alongside one another as a community.

Let it all be to God’s glory & the growing of God’s kingdom here on Earth!

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Grace and Peace,

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Rev. Tess Welch