Discovering the Divine in the Ordinary: Lessons from Moses and the Burning Bush

In an unforgettable moment of biblical history, imagine Moses, just a humble shepherd, coming across a burning bush. This wasn’t just any fire—it was a bush ablaze, yet not consumed by the flames. Now, that’s not something you see every day! As Moses moved closer, captivated by this sight, something even more incredible happened. From the midst of the fire, his name echoed not once but twice: "Moses, Moses!" Standing there, engulfed in total astonishment, Moses wasn’t just facing a miraculous fire; he was in the presence of God, who handed him a monumental task—to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

This profound experience transformed Moses from a simple shepherd to a leader, a prophet, and a liberator, charting a course for the destiny of an entire nation. And here’s Moses, probably thinking this was way above his pay grade, especially since public speaking wasn’t his forte. Yet, even as he protested his eloquence, God had his back, appointing his brother Aaron to do the talking. But the mission? That was all on Moses, specially chosen for him by God.

Reflecting on Our Own Spiritual Encounters

Awareness: Just as Moses encountered God dramatically through a burning bush, we might find God speaking to us in quieter, everyday moments. It’s about tuning in and really noticing when God is nudging us... Or slapping us in the face.

Openness: The story nudges us to stay open to unexpected divine interactions. Moses never expected to hear God’s call in the wilderness. Likewise, we might stumble upon spiritual moments in the least expected places. Keeping an open heart and mind is key to embracing these encounters.

Listening: Listening is crucial. Moses didn’t just witness a miracle; he listened and acted on it. We also need to stay attuned to the subtle signs of divine guidance—be it a thought, a feeling, or a timely word—helping us to navigate our lives with a higher wisdom.

The burning bush isn't just a symbol of God’s power; it's a poignant reminder of how God calls us to greater purposes, even when we doubt our own abilities. Like Moses, by staying aware, open, and responsive, we too can stand up to challenging works that God calls us to.

Listening for God’s Voice

This story of Moses reminds me of a modern parable popular in many Christian circles today. It’s about a devout man who is caught in a massive flood. As the waters rise, he climbs to the roof of his house and starts praying for God to save him. A neighbor comes by in a boat and offers him a ride to safety, but the man declines, saying, "No thanks, God will save me." Later, as the flood worsens, a rescue team approaches in a boat and then a helicopter, but each time, the man refuses help, insisting that he is waiting for God to save him. Eventually, the man drowns. When he reaches heaven, he asks God why He didn't save him. God replies, "I sent you two boats and a helicopter, what more did you expect?"

This parable teaches us that sometimes, we might miss God’s interventions if we’re only looking for miracles in the form we expect. God often works through the ordinary and the mundane, and if we’re too fixed on seeing only the miraculous, we might overlook the help that’s right in front of us. Let us not box God into our limited expectations. He might just surprise us in the most unexpected ways.

This story inspired us to spread the story of Moses and the burning bush with our fun Burning Bush design. The design shows the bush surprised and shocked that it is on fire. Remember to expect the unexpected and stay open to what God is telling you to do.