“Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it. But if the cloud did not rise, they remained where they were until it lifted. The cloud of the Lord hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so the whole family of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys” (Exodus 40:36-38 NLT).

Have you ever read this passage and felt envious? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be led throughout this journey called life by the visible presence of God? If God Himself were leading us, wouldn’t His direction be unmistakably clear? Wouldn’t it be so much easier to follow His will if we could actually see evidence of Him? Wouldn’t it eliminate the questions and confusion we often face today. Certainly having God in our midst would solve all our problems. Then again, maybe it wouldn’t…

A quick skim of the Israelite’s wanderings reveals that having God in their midst was not a panacea to selfish, sinful choices or willful disobedience. Moses repeatedly intervened on behalf of the community because the Lord was furious with their blatant disregard for His holiness. They complained about their hardships, longing for the luxuries available to them in Egypt, the land of their former captivity. They refused to enter into Canaan, their land of promise because of the reports of the fearful, unbelieving spies. They rejected the leadership of Moses and the priesthood that God Himself had ordained. They were seduced by Moab, enticed into sexual immorality and idolatry. All these events occurred while the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle, manifested as visible dazzling light and dreadful fire.

I would like to think that if I were in the story, I would live differently. But my misguided prideful notions last only a moment.

As followers of Jesus Christ we are blessed by an intimacy with a holy God that was not available under the Old Covenant. We have access to both a personal relationship with God and His unlimited powerful resources.

He miraculously resides within us.

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong” (Ephesians 3:16-17, NLT).

He fills us with His presence.

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

As marvelous as all this is, sometimes I am strangely forgetful and unaware of these truths. My sinful self is completely preoccupied with me. When I allow it to control, I lose sight of God’s glorious presence as I focus on my own agenda. I grow discouraged and weary when my journey takes an unexpected detour. I become impatient and agitated when my progress is halted, resentful when others are promoted instead of me. I get stressed out when situations are difficult. I complain about all the meaningless things I don’t have and get burdened down by comparing myself to others. I shrink back in fear as I look through the filter of self-sufficiency at imposing obstacles. The pursuit of accomplishing great things for God distracts me from the beautiful simplicity that He makes His dwelling (tabernacle) within me. He is right here in my very midst.

Left to my own devices, I am oblivious to the obvious…I’m not much different from the Israelites after all.

But there is one difference, and it’s significant.

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Galatians 5:24-25).

As a believer in Jesus, my self-absorbed sinful nature has been crucified with Christ. My new self, who is being renewed into Christ’s image and likeness, is riveted to His presence. I live, move, and breathe with the knowledge that His Spirit directs my steps. He empowers me to live for Him. I know that I know that I know my Lord is in control and lovingly oversees every detail.

You don’t have to be oblivious to the obvious. God has so much more in store for you. You can live in daily awareness that God is always near—counseling, assisting, and leading through the Holy Spirit with you and in you.

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesians 3:19-20).

Friend, when you walk each day with Jesus, you can thrive in life and leadership.