When the sons of Israel were in the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land, the Lord went before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on their way and a pillar of fire by night to give them light (Exodus13:21). Wherever the pillar of cloud settled down, they camped according to the command of the Lord.  And whenever the pillar of cloud lifted, the sons of Israel followed (Numbers 9:17-23).  This snapshot from the history of the Israelites is a metaphor for our spiritual journey.  In this journey, we have the promise of God's presence and His guidance.  Not only does He show us where and when, we also have the assurance that He will go before us.

For the past twelve years, God's pillar of cloud for my life has lingered over Southern California.  During this period, He has blessed me with an excellent wife whose worth is far above jewels (Proverbs 31:10) and two beautiful sons who are the joy of my life.  God has granted me a professional platform on a medical campus and used it to birth The Medical Strategic Network and launch the METS program, which has been instrumental in training several thousand health professionals and students to integrate their faith and practice.  I have had the thrill of seeing patients, colleagues, and students come to Christ and the joys and challenges of personal discipleship on the medical campus.  I have come alongside as they mature professionally and spiritually, then release them to step out and pursue God's dream for their lives.  These deeply rewarding adventures with God are rivaled only by the experience of being a father.  In the process, I have also gained invaluable spiritual lessons and insights into God's heart and how He wants to work in my life.

Now the pillar of cloud has moved again.  In July, my family and I will be moving to Denver, Colorado, where I have accepted a position with the University of Colorado as Professor of Medicine and Director of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.  We will sorely miss the day-to-day opportunities to fellowship with dear friends and ministry partners in California; at the same time, God has given us a growing excitement for the new ministry opportunities and friendships that await us in Colorado.  We ask for your prayers as we go-for my family, my professional witness and relationships, and for wisdom and discernment to know where God is at work and how we are to partner with His Spirit in the work that He is doing.  Please pray also for the ongoing ministry on the medical campus at Loma Linda and for the leadership team led by Harvey Elder and Bob Mason. The Network national office will remain in Redlands, California. 

Along with signifying God's presence and guidance, in the Scriptures the cloud is also used to represent God's provision and protection.  His favor is like a cloud with the spring rain (Proverbs 16:15).  As we pass through this dry and thirsty land, His cloud provides a covering (Psalm 105:39) from the blistering heat. In the course of being Christ's followers, we encounter many people and circumstances that threaten to shred our spiritual motivation. But if we learn to abide in the light of His face, we find that He is like a cloud of dew in the heat of the harvest (Isaiah18:4).  He refreshes and rejuvenates; He renews our strength; He restores our motivation to get back into the harvest field. 

Finally, the cloud is a symbol of God's power and glory (Numbers 16:42; Isaiah 19:1).  When Jesus ascended into heaven after commissioning His disciples, a cloud received Him out of their sight (Acts 1:9).  Some day soon, we shall witness the Son of Man coming again in a cloud with power and great glory (Luke 21:27). In the meantime, we have His power (Acts 1:8) and authority (Matthew 28:18-20), so that we might carry out His command to go into the entire world and preach the gospel.  Our calling is not to be skygazers-whether in bewilderment or in modern-day scholarly speculations regarding the Second Coming of Christ, however biblical and important that might be.  We have been given a task, and the time to do it is NOW.

"He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap . . . Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good" (Ecclesiastes 11:4-6).

Contact Dr. Chen at:  ychen@GoMETS.org.