Eastertide
May 19, 2014

Scripture Reading: Exodus 13:17-22 

The Lord went in front of them in a pillar of cloud by day, to lead them along the way, and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light, so that they might travel by day and by night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. — Exodus 13:21-22

 Have you ever wished for explicit guidance like the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night that the Israelites followed as they left Egypt? My guess is that most of us have wished for such clear guidance.  My guess also is that while God might nudge us a bit one way or another, God expects us to practice the teachings of Jesus and get on about the task of being the Body of Christ in the world with the full faith that our Advocate, the Holy Spirit, is just as present to us in our daily walk as the cloud and the fire were with the Israelites on their journey.

What may be the more important aspect of our walk with the Lord is action.  I think if God gets even a hint that we are engaged in God’s service, the Advocate is engaged with us. Such engagement may begin with prayer and study. It may move through acquainting ourselves with the needs of our neighbors and how those needs might best be met. We then might seek others who share our concern. Together we might initiate a plan to meet the need. At each step the Advocate tracks right along with us giving guidance as needed.

The Advocate is a dynamic entity. I wonder what this Holy Spirit does while waiting for us to start our engines and shift our gears from park to drive? It might vex the Advocate mightily, if we are found unengaged, not using our talents and skills to the furtherance of the Kingdom of God. What do you think?

Prayer: Come Holy Spirit, dwell with me. I am ready to serve, although I don’t feel adequately prepared. Give me the courage and strength to grow into my role in your service. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.