April 16, 2024

Exodus 13:17-22 (HCSB)
The Route of the Exodus
17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road to the land of the Philistines, even though it was nearby; for God said, “The people will change their minds and return to Egypt if they face war.” 18 So He led the people around toward the Red Sea along the road of the wilderness. And the Israelites left the land of Egypt in battle formation. 19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, because Joseph had made the Israelites swear a solemn oath, saying, “God will certainly come to your aid; then you must take my bones with you from this place.” 20 They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness. 21 The Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to lead them on their way during the day and in a pillar of fire to give them light at night, so that they could travel day or night. 22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night never left its place in front of the people.

Sarah Ricciardi
If you’ve heard me share much about my business story, you’ve heard me refer to myself as a crockpot. Many in my industry move through the phases of “success” much quicker than I have. What we often celebrate as a culture, what we often look for and try to duplicate, is the shortest path to a pinnacle mile marker. Ever notice how God doesn’t seem so concerned with quick, short, fast? God is concerned most with our BECOMING. We see that with Israel. God’s path wasn’t a straight line. Yet, HE led them. His presence was hot fire and cool cloud – tangible, visible, full-on sensory. Israel could have chosen to look away, to plot their own course and ignore God. We, too, can choose to stifle His leading. I’ve tried it before. The stifling, stubborn pursuit of what I want or what I think is best–well, that’s way too suffocating. YOU are made to walk in step with Him, His child. To look up, lean into His presence, and move with Yahweh–who saves and redeems and “doesn’t depart” from His children.