GOD'S DIRECTION

Numbers 9:15-23
15 On the day the tabernacle, the Tent of the Testimony, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire. 16 That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire. 17 Whenever the cloud lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. 18 At the Lord's command the Israelites set out, and at His command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. 19 When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the Lord's order and did not set out. . . .Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. 22 Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. 23 At the Lord's command they encamped, and at the Lord's command they set out. They obeyed the Lord's order, in accordance with his command through Moses.


Tony Bennett left his heart in New Zealand, and he knew he had to go back there. (No, not that Tony Bennett!) This one is a sharp-shooting basketball player whose dad, Dick Bennett, coached the Wisconsin Badgers to the NCAA Final Four in 2000. After a short career in the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets, Tony Bennett sought God's direction for the next pathway he and his wife Laurel should take. And they received some clear signals from God about the way they should go.

Here's how God directed:

After Tony left the Hornets, he had an opportunity to hook up with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 1995-96 season. He felt good about his chances until he suffered a foot injury and got the old heave-ho from the Cavs.

Still interested in another NBA shot, Tony decided to bite on an offer from a team in Sydney, Australia. He could work his way back by playing well for the Sydney Kings, he thought. But they released him even though he was averaging 21 points per game.

Now Tony and Laurel wondered what God would do next. Where would He lead? Soon a team in New Zealand signed him up to play in their pro league. While he was playing for that team, Tony and Laurel met a man who offered them opportunities to serve in his ministry. Their involvement in the ministry grew so much that they decided to return the following year to New Zealand to play ball and to serve God as missionaries.

What was the secret to seeking God's direction for the Bennetts?

According to Laurel, "We just kept asking ourselves, where can we serve God the best? We prayed that the decision would be clear to us. God did it!"

As surely as God led the children of Israel by cloud and fire, He leads us as we trust Him. --Dave Branon

DESTINATION POINTS

* No clouds, no fire. How does God lead me?
* When was the last time I implored God to let me know which direction to take in life? Should I make that question part of my prayer life?
* What are some signs or indications that I'm going in the way God wants me to go? Is there someone who can help me?

bottom line: Pray for direction, seek God's selection.

soul journey