The story of Moses and the burning bush is a most familiar one.
While tending his father-in-law’s sheep one day, Moses was struck by a bush which was burning yet not consumed.
“So Moses said, “I must turn aside now and see this marvelous sight, why the bush is not burned up.” (Exodus 3:3, NASB)
Moses took the time from his ordinary responsibilities to go see what was occurring. It was then that God spoke to him.
“When the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” (verse 4, NASB)
The story has been poking at me for days. It has made me question … do we turn aside and give our attention to God?
We can read our Bibles, devotionals, or Bible studies, checking off those boxes and gaining information. But are we gaining insight and relationship with God?
“The higher goal of spiritual living is not to amass a wealth of information, but to face sacred moments. What is retained in the souls is the moment of insight.”
(Abraham Joshua Heschel)
In our relationship with God, information should not be the goal. The goal in those moments is the very Presence of God Himself. We are to anticipate what He Himself will reveal to us; the insight we will gain from Him, from His Word.
For you see, we may not remember every fact in Scripture but we will remember the moment in which our God revealed Himself to us. We will remember the truth imparted. The Scripture He deposited into our hearts and minds.
“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10, NKJV)
Moses stopped tending the sheep. He paused to see what God was doing and then God spoke. Perhaps we need to do the same.
Stop. Pause. See. Listen.
Sacred moments are the moment of insight.
We don’t want to miss them.
Mother’s Day is this Sunday. In her post, Mom, I’ve Never Missed You More Than I Do Now HERE , Lois Flowers shares some thoughts she wishes she could share with her mom today.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Photo by Antonello Falcone – The Wiseman on Unsplash
We are distracted by so many things, many of them not even sinful things in themselves. We need to pause and pay attention to what He says, to savor those encounters with Him.
You are right, Barbara. Moses was tending the sheep, doing what was his responsibility. Some days the ordinary will keep us from seeing the extraordinary. May we take time each day to pause and pay attention. Grateful for you!
I love that Moses was squirreled to spend time with God on Holy ground from the everyday ordinary Joanne.
Blessings, Jennifer
I do too, Jennifer. May we keep our eyes and ears open in the midst of the ordinary. Have a blessed day!
‘Stop. Pause. See. Listen.’
A sacred invitation to say yes to. Often.
‘I need Thee every hour.’
Joanne, thank you.
This >> “A sacred invitation to say yes to. Often.” You said it well. Those sacred moments are a sacred invitation we want to accept. Amen!
‘Stop. Pause. See. Listen.’ A sacred invitation to behold Him and to spend time in His Presence.
And as we do so, it is amazing what can happen in those ordinary moments.
Great thoughts Joanne. I love this story of Moses stopping to encounter God in the ordinary of his day. But I also notice that God did not speak until Moses turned aside. God did not “call after” Moses, He waited until Moses turned and faced the bush. How long was the bush burning before Moses noticed?
How often have I passed on by Jesus waiting for me in my day, before I finally turned aside? My prayer is to become more attuned to God’s continual presence with me, so I can hear what He wants to speak to me.
I noticed that as well, Donna. I like the way you worded it – “God did not call after Moses. ” Joining you in praying to be more attentive and quickly turn aside from my day to stop, pause, see, and listen to the Lord. Grateful for you.
Yes, relationship!
We do live in a time of distractions. To set aside our gadgets and pay attention, to abide, that gives life. Thank you for this lovely reminder.
Oh, how I love this –you are so right. It is those intimate moments where I turned to Him–in a walk, in my kitchen, in a night-time lean-in, in my car – those moments are so alive and tucked in my heart – live-changing!
I love the examples in scripture of God showing up and meeting with people who were just going about their business. We’re almost up to Ordinary Time on the church calendar, and I love the invitation to press into my ordinary life with all its sacred rhythms.
Joanne, thank you for this reminder to stop and pay attention to what God is doing. So often, I’m so focused on what’s NOT happening right now that I miss what IS happening. And thanks for sharing my post. ❤️ I hope you have a lovely Mother’s Day, dear friend.
This was such a thoughtful post, Joanne! While spending time studying God’s word is a valuable use of our resources, I don’t think there is anything that He treasures more than our undivided presence and attention.