You’ve probably heard God provides. His provision is a massive part of Who God is… from life to eternity He provides for His people.

You’ve probably heard about manna. The bread-like substance that God provided to His people as they wandered.

But do you know what the word “manna” translates to literally? I laughed out loud when I heard this the first time.

“What is it?”

That’s what it means. And that’s what they asked God when He rained it down upon the hungry Israelite crowd in the Biblical narrative. And I laughed because it reminded me of all the times we do that. I know I’ve done it! We are so oblivious to what God is doing around us sometimes that all we can do is ask “what is it?”

I’m not always that in tune with God and what He is doing the way I should be. This world consumes.

I remember when I went through a New Age thing about 30 years ago. I thought I was so in tune spiritually. I was contemplative. I was connected. I tried to be aware of the higher power in the every day moments.

Of course there is a higher power than us. But not just merely a spiritual being connecting us from one way to another. Not just spirituality to find connection and fulfillment.

I was always looking. Searching.

“WHAT IS IT?” some might ask.

It’s not an it. It’s Whom.

And I am so thankful that I did not lose Jesus in my New Age wandering. But I wandered. And I wondered. I think that is quite possibly a similar state of many Christians today.

So we stand…
Waiting…
Hungry…
Needing….
With our up-and-down faith and our wandering to-and-fro inside God’s plan for our lives…
all mixed up with our mini-gods-of-everyday-life. Just like the manna-surprised Israelites.

In need of sustenance. In need of manna.

God watches and waits.  Then He sends a sign, a need fulfilled, a path, an answer.

And we ask…

WHAT IS IT?

God must laugh sometimes too.

Shouldn’t we know our Shepherd’s voice better than any other? Shouldn’t we already know what it is when when He sends it? I don’t mean the times in life when we are truly seeking His guidance and it isn’t crystal clear … sure that happens and that is when our faith is valued and called upon again and again. That’s called growth. No, I’m talking about the vast majority of the miracles big and tiny that we live in and around every day. We just don’t notice.

We ask.
He answers.

“Oh, Father, you have supplied food for nourishment. Thank you!”

The Israelites needed food. Something fell. Literally.

We need. God rains down. But IF we are paying close attention , we notice the manna.

“Oh that! Thank you for that, Jesus! I didn’t expect that answer. I didn’t even think of that. I’d rather have had another answer, but this is Your way which is higher than mine.”

I do think God understands our “what is it?” questions. That is called grace, and it’s a beautiful thing!

But being so closely connected to the One who provides our “every day” helps us to hear and know Him better. How about about you?