Our Daily Bread: Called to ServeSampel

Sunrise

“This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.”  —Exodus 3:3

There was a magnificent sunrise this morning, but I was too busy to enjoy it. I turned away and became preoccupied with other things. I thought about that sunrise a few moments ago, and I realize I lost an opportunity to pause and praise God this morning.

In the midst of the busyness and stresses of our days, there are patches of beauty all around us, glimpses of God’s goodness that we catch here and there along the way. These are the places in the walls of the universe where heaven is breaking through—if only we will take the time to stop and to reflect on God’s love for us.

What if Moses had taken only a fleeting glance at the bush that was burning but did not burn up? (Exodus 3:2). What if he had ignored it and hurried on to other things? After all, he had all those sheep to take care of. Had he done so, he would have missed an epic, life-changing encounter with the living God (vv. 4–12).

Sometimes in life, we must hurry. But whenever we have the opportunity, life should be less hurrying and more noticing. Life is the present. Life is being aware; it is seeing God’s love breaking through. It is turning aside to the miracle of something like a sunrise. Something transitory, yet symbolic of the eternity that awaits us.

David Roper

Lord, open our eyes that we may see.