A burning bush experience
Exodus chapter 3:1-4 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” 4 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.” [NIV]
Many of us have a busy and sometimes hectic lifestyle. When we read the Scripture in Exodus chapter 3:1, Moses was busy tending to a flock of sheep. Being a shepherd carries an enormous responsibility which includes, remaining focused, making sure that the sheep are grazing in a fertile area, and also being assured that the sheep are safe from any nearby predators.
God does something very unique to get Moses attention. He (God) first appears to Moses in a burning flame that is inside of a bush, without the bush being consumed. Once Moses turned aside to look at this great site, God then speaks to Moses, and calls him by his name “Moses, Moses,” and Moses answers and says “Here I am.”
So I ask this question, “what does God have to do to get our attention?” Are we so caught up in our daily routine of responsibilities that we have no time, or are so distracted that we don’t hear the voice of God? In our day to day living, where does God fit in with our priorities?
Does God always have to give us a “burning bush experience” to get our attention?
The Psalmist writes in Psalms 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.”
We have to make and take time out of our busy schedules or activities to be still, and sit quietly. When we do this, we will be able to hear, and listen to the voice of God clearly, without having to have a “burning bush” experience to get our attention.
Starting today:
- try riding in your vehicle with the radio off
- put the cell phone on mute or vibrate for a short period of time
- respond to that text or email a little later unless it is an immediate emergency
- and put anything else on hold that will distract you from hearing the voice of God
Many times people may say “I’m just waiting on God” not realizing that God has been waiting on them, but they have been too busy to hear His voice calling them.
“God I thank you for being longsuffering with your people, and that we will be attentive to hear your voice without having to have a “burning bush experience” from You to get our attention focused on what you are trying to say to us, in Jesus name…Amen!
Continuing in His service…Rev
Rev, Thanks for sharing this word. I love the practical application to help avoid distractions that can position us to hear from God.