Following the cloud
Always moving on,
Following the cloud,
Egypt’s bondage gone.
Following the cloud
Toward the promised land.
Following the cloud
At the Lord’s command.
Oh Lord, I want to settle down,
Stay in this familiar place.
I want to order my own world,
Secure in my own space
But the cloud keeps on moving,
Stretching my heart.
The cloud keeps on moving.
Guess it’s time to start
Thought that this time I could stay,
Sink my roots down in the known.
They have been pulled up
many times,
Still fragile limbs have grown
Lord, others get to stay
And build their comfort here.
Others get to stay
Routines and family near
At hand.
But the cloud keeps on moving,
Stretching my heart.
The cloud keeps on moving.
Guess it’s time to start
The things once so badly wanted
They would just be baggage now
On this journey we have started
Their presence weigh me down.
I know.
All I really need to carry
Through dusty wilderness
Are your presence and your promise,
Your joy that I confess
Is real.
I know I have craved other food
Than the manna dawn found there,
Forgetting curse came with the quail
To those faithless in your care
And love.
And the cloud keeps on moving,
Stretching my heart.
The cloud keeps on moving.
Guess it’s time to start
Each has his road and each his cloud
To navigate our night.
I sometimes imagine others
Have an easier fight
Than I.
But mine is the road you’ve chosen
In love set before me.
Given me precious companions,
Taken distractions from me.
It’s good.
I will follow the cloud
At your command.
You must stretch my heart
And open my hand,
Clenched tight around the status quo.
Make room for new love
and new energy to grow
Again and again and again
As the cloud leads the way.
©2014 Thrive