Holy, Manna!

Today, I have:

 1. Studied the anatomical and physiological workings of your swallow mechanism in order to succeed at a continuing education class I'm taking this coming weekend called: Vital Stim. Placing electrodes on your throat and turning that baby on. Sounds lovely, right? I'm sure I'll find out.
2. Watched UK beat the dog doo doo out of Alabama.
3. Ran 5 miles in 45 minutes.
4. Enjoyed an Ale-8 and caught up on blogs that I normally read on a regular basis.

I consider it pretty successful. Last night we met with our friends Rick and Suzi and the night before experienced a Brazilian steakhouse (I have never felt so gluttonous). It's been a good week.

I've had several interviews for jobs, but nothing has worked out thus far. I've been looking for almost 2 months now and truly thought that I would be in a new place of work by now. There has been a lot of discussion in our church/community groups about what "satisfies" you. Is it money? Respect in your career (I'm in this group, partially)? But for me, I struggle with the "grass is greener on the other side" syndrome. This has been discussed and analyzed probably way to much, but it's such a pressing issue that I can't let it go. But the Lord has a way of speaking to us, and this time His Word was clear.

As a new years resolution I wanted to read through the Bible. I have done this once before, but I'm in a completely different place now than I was when I read through it the first time (as I will next year). And as I'm struggling my way through Leviticus and Numbers, so were the Israelites. Moses has lead them out of Egypt, through the Red Sea and into the desert. From slavery to freedom. From real meat and wine to - you guessed it - MANNA. After a while, the Israelites start to, complain....which made me feel quite human. The Israelites, who have had the supernatural free them, been provided food, protection, and a purpose are, complaining? Hum. So this idea of never being satisfied is not a new idea. Great.

It's clear that God wants to protect them. He sends manna down that lands on the grass like dew. It is new every morning - but don't gather more than you need. Of course, the greedy and worried Israelites found that out the hard way when they tried to hoard manna and it turned into maggots. Gross. As if providing daily bread and water wasn't enough, God also did this:

"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. That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it and at night it looked like fire. Whenever the cloud lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled the Israelites encamped...........They obeyed the Lord's order, in accordance with his command through Moses." Numbers 9:15-18

Can't make it any more clear than that, right? I mean, when the cloud stays, you stay; when it moves, you move. God, can I have a cloud above my house? One that allows my heart to truly be content with where I am until you ask our family to move. However, would something so concrete be....almost easy? It wouldn't require faith, trust, mercy, and forgiveness. It would almost leave out the multi-dimensional and multi-faceted characteristics of our God. For pity's sake, the Israelites had this concrete nature of the Lord in their hands, and they STILL weren't satisfied. Oh boy, I'm doomed. Here's what they said:

"The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again, the Israelites started wailing and said, ' If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost - also the cucumber, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!" Numbers 11:4-5

HOLY, MANNA! We're tired of eating this crap - give us MEAT! God, if only I had a job that was satisfying, challenging, flexible, close to my house. And speaking of houses, could you finds us a good one that had a pretty good backyard, but close enough to a bus stop where Mike could ride up to Boulder. And I need more friends, my family closer, and to be about 10 lbs lighter. THEN, I'll be satisfied. Right. And by then, the manna will have turned into maggots.

Do you get where I'm going????? So, what's your I'll be satisfied when ____________ ? Ultimately, the joy that comes from our God is the ONLY thing that can satisfy. So, may God reveal those things in your life that you are idolizing and using to make you "happy". And then, may He transform your mind and body to only desire Him. To find true satisfaction and joy in His presence. I'm trying, but I'm also encouraged through this text.

Be encouraged. Chris Tomlin has a song that fits this idea, and I love it.



love wins. love you.