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Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, 
the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside 
of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to 
Horeb. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in 
a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, 
behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not 
consumed. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see 
this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the 
LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him 
out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. 
And he said, Here am I. And he said, Draw not nigh hither: 
put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou 
standest is holy ground. Moreover he said, I am the God 
of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the 
God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to 
look upon God.

Alone With God

Introduction:

Dear Readers, today I want to reflect upon a sacred encounter that holds profound significance in the tapestry of our walk with God—the story of the burning bush. This extraordinary moment with God, recorded in the Exodus 3, serves as a timeless testament to the transformative power of encountering the divine presence of a God who cares. Let us delve into the lessons and insights this burning bush imparts to us, seeking to understand how we too can experience the presence of God in our lives.

 

I. The Call of Moses: Our story begins with Moses, a for Egyptian and now a humble shepherd leading his flock in the wilderness. Little did he know that this ordinary day would mark the beginning of an extraordinary journey. As he tended to his sheep, Moses encountered a sight that defied the laws of physics—a bush engulfed in flames, yet not consumed. Sound like someone you know?  The divine presence, the very essence of God, revealed itself through this burning bush.  It teaches us that God will come to us in a way we know not.  In a form we know not.  We just need to be ready and willing to accept Him when He does show un in our lives.  In other, we don't need to put God in a box. 

II. Lessons from the Burning Bush:

A. Resilience and Unconsumed Flames, the bush that burned but was not consumed. In our lives, we often face challenges and trials that may seem insurmountable. The burning bush reminds us that the God's presence is with us in the midst of our struggles.  Jesus said that He would never leave us or forsake us.  The burning bush signifies the resilience and enduring nature of God's love, which sustains us through the fires of life without allowing us to be consumed.  He will never put more on us than we can bear.

B. Holiness and Reverence: The burning bush is a symbol of holiness and of God's divine presence. In our daily lives, how often do we recognize the manifold blessings that surrounds us? The encounter with the burning bush invites us to approach life with a sense of reverence, acknowledging the presence of God in the ordinary and mundane aspects of our existence.  God is in the small things as well as in ALL things.  God's presence teaches us that we can't just do anything we feel like.  Being conscious or aware of His presence should make us live a holy life.

 

III. The Encounter:

A. Divine Call and Purpose: As Moses stood before the burning bush, he received a divine call to lead the people of Israel out of slavery. This encounter teaches us that God often calls us in unexpected moments and places. We are reminded to be attentive to the whispers of God, ready to respond to the unique purpose and mission that God has for each of us. While many of think that we are insignificant, God says we are in fact significant.  Notice how God called Moses.  He didn't for his father-in-law.  He didn't even ask for his wife or anyone else in the camp.  When God calls you, don't look to take others with you.  He want's to meet you alone.  

B. Removing Our Sandals: Humility and Surrender is the key to success.  When God instructed Moses to remove his sandals because the ground he stood upon was holy ground, Moses never once questioned it, instead he responded with obedience and humility in complete surrender. To fully experience God's presence, we must be willing to shed the trappings of pride and ego, approaching God with a spirit of humility and total surrender.

 

IV. Application in Our Lives:

A. Cultivating Awareness: Let us strive to cultivate awareness of God's presence in our daily lives, seeking Jesus in the ordinary. Like Moses, may we be open to encountering His presence in unexpected places, recognizing the burning bushes that God places in our paths.

B. Answering the Divine Call: As we reflect on the burning bush, let us discern the unique callings and purposes that God has placed upon our lives. In answering the divine call, we participate in the ongoing story of God's redemptive work of Christ in the world.

Conclusion: Dear friends, the burning bush serves as a profound reminder that God's presence is not confined to temples or church buildings—it is with us and in us wherever we go. May we embrace the lessons of the burning bush, cultivating a deep awareness of the holy Spirit in our lives, and may our hearts be open to the transformative encounters that lead us to fulfill our unique callings in God's grand narrative. God speed.