The Thread: Part IISample

Looking for a Burning Bush

In this story, Moses was about 80 years old and had spent about 40 of those years in Midian. He had plenty of time to reflect on his past and the consequences of committing murder. When Moses fled the murder scene, he wanted to hide from his problems and dodge confrontation. Little did he know God was waiting for him.

Moses was doing his family chores by shepherding the flock and found himself at Horeb. This mountain is known as Sinai, the "Mountain of God"; here, Moses encountered a visual manifestation of God in a burning bush. This is when God put Moses' problems in perspective and allowed him to confront his past. This extraordinary interaction was the beginning of many more miracles that would happen.

Moses marveled at the burning bush, so God grabbed his attention and had an intimate moment that would transform Moses into the spiritual leader who would lead the Hebrews out of Egypt. Familiar with Israel's history with God, Moses knew this moment was special. He acknowledged the holiness of God and felt inadequate to be part of this encounter. Nevertheless, this burning bush sealed the deal, and Moses was all in with God.

Many of us are looking for a burning bush to marvel at God's presence, but who is willing to put their problems in perspective and confront their hard times? Moses spoke with God at specific moments throughout his life, but you have the word of God at your fingertips! We don't have to look further than the Bible to encounter God. The Bible is not the burning bush but a practical and resourceful means to have an extraordinary encounter with God.

Question: How did Moses react when he realized he was talking to God in the burning bush? How is the Bible preparing you to deal with your current circumstance?

Prayer: Ask God to reveal scripture to you and make it feel alive. Ask him for fresh endurance and perspective to see further into his purpose than you currently do. Pray that he gives you the strength to face the hard times, and thank him for putting your problems in perspective and redeeming you as you are.

Go Deeper: Here, the word holy means "unique." Often, our culture interprets holiness as a kind of "high and mighty perfection." However, when God calls the ground on which Moses stands "holy," he means the space is uniquely set apart and sacred because it is intended for meeting with God.