REFLECTIONS

Called to Be

A captivating scene unfolded that day in the desert. Moses watched a bush burn. Only it didn’t burn up. No matter how hot it became or how long the flames lasted, it remained as it was. Who wouldn’t be curious enough to check that out? So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight — why the bush does not burn up.”

When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” (Exodus 3:3-4)

Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians…. And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, …  So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” (Exodus 3:6-10)

Stunned by God’s call, Moses said, “Who am I, that I go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11) And Moses began to make excuses of his weaknesses with God countering each one with assurances that Moses was the right man for the job. Of course, God convinced him to do it.

The captivating story about Moses and the burning bush leaves one in wonder. God often presents himself in fire, smoke, and mist. This time He used fire to capture Moses’ attention. Yet the fire didn’t cause the bush to lose a single feature of its existence. It was indestructible. Just as Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, its state of being remained the same.

Once God grabbed Moses’ attention, He used the bush as a podium to speak from. It makes me wonder how many podiums He may have used to influence my life. And I wonder if or how God might have used my life as his podium to shape the lives of others.

From the burning bush Moses heard God’s call to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses became God’s messenger and leader. So, whether as a podium, or a messenger, or a leader, or for some other role we can’t imagine, God created each of us for his purposes.

So, I wonder if, like God used the bush, He calls us first just to be.

You are the light of the world,

Richard +

www.reflectingthesavior.org

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