A Fine Sight to SeeSample

Turn Aside to See

In Exodus 3, Moses was going about his daily business, tending the flock and whatnot, when “the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed” (Exodus 3:2 NRSV).

As someone who is pretty much endlessly fascinated by how other people experience the Lord speaking to them, I would imagine that the sight of that burning bush had to be shocking to Moses; an unexpected development for sure. Plus, the Lord wasn’t just putting on a show for kicks and giggles. He was about to call Moses into the work of deliverance, the work of setting the children of Israel free. Interestingly, though, God didn’t officially invite Moses into the work of deliverance until Moses “turned aside to see” why the bush wasn’t burning up (Exodus 3:4). So I can’t help but wonder: if Moses hadn’t noticed the burning bush, would God have called his name?

Obviously we all hear God in different ways: through Scripture, through the Holy Spirit, through a knowing so sure that there’s no denying the Source. I think it’s so interesting, though, that God connected Moses’ sight to his calling. Before Moses heard from God—which, to be clear, absolutely changed the course of his life—he first had to turn and see what God was doing. He had to notice what God was doing. He had to intentionally pay attention.

So here’s a thought, and please, by all means, do with it what you will: so often we feel stuck (maybe in Midian, maybe not), and we long to hear from God. We wait for him to tell us what to do next. We plead for his instruction.

But maybe, just maybe we need to be as deliberate in our seeing as we are in our hearing.

Maybe seeing evidence of God’s work in the world is connected to knowing how to participate in that work.

Moses saw the burning bush.

Then God called Moses’ name and told him to set his people free.

Be on the lookout today, my friends.

You have no idea what you might see the Lord do!