Shrubbery AblazeSample

Come closer to see

Moses’ example gives us insight into the power that comes from God when we are doing His will.

When he wandered onto the burning bush on the backside of Horeb, he did several things that led to further revelation from God. First, and very simply, he paid attention. You mean paying attention is an action item? It is. We live with thousands of distractions in the course of every day. Unfortunately, the meaningful things and the voice of the Lord can get lost in the overwhelming assault of distractions. Today’s pace tempts us to handle the urgent and not the meaningful.

Moses was aware enough of his surroundings and the Spirit of God to recognize it for what it was.

Moses was aware enough of his surroundings and the Spirit of God to see the bush differently. He saw the miraculous in the mundane.

Let’s conduct a little experiment of our own: What do you think would happen if you picked a particular color today—say green—and decided to pay attention by looking for that color throughout the day? Don’t you imagine you would notice several things that just “happened” to be that color? From grass and trees and street signs and traffic lights, life would become a paint-by-number palette with color #1 being green. Try it in the room you are reading in or when you are driving; look around and watch your attention to the color green light up the things you missed before.

In the same way, imagine how life might change if you decided to take notice of the presence of God. How mindful are you of spiritual things? Are you on the lookout for the hand of the Lord in your life?

Too often we remain oblivious to the things God places in our path. We can’t be bothered with burning bushes. We’re too busy keeping an eye out for life’s next latte, text message or errand to run. With our eyes focused on the prize of comfort or efficiency, we totally miss the higher things of the Kingdom. We drift. But not Moses. He noticed the bush. His gaze was set, nothing more and nothing less. Curious enough to temporarily abandon his shepherding agenda, he decided to investigate it.

He came closer to see what there was to see.