Afforded the Opportunity, A Burning Bush Can Save A Nation

"2

^(B) And^(C) the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3And Moses said, "I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned." 4When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see,^(D) God called to him^(E) out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." Exodus 3:2-4

Jesus, the Angel of the Lord, stood in the midst of the bush. Moses saw it and made the conscious decision to turn aside from the path that he was following and went to seek the Lord (even though he didn't really understand what was going on). He called it a 'great sight' and recognized His presence as being better than whatever he was doing at the time. Only after he turned aside did God call out to him and speak to him. Not beforehand. God waited patiently in the bush and allowed Moses to make the decision of whether he would turn aside or not. When he showed his willingness, then God could instruct him and begin to use him.

What path am I on day after day that causes me to miss the burning bushes along the way? I know that I'm missing them somewhere. You've called me to walk like Jesus, to be cleansed by His blood, clothed in His character, carrying His mindset and the power of His Spirit inside of my life everyday... but I don't always operate like that. I see that most days, my path through the day is clouded with ME. That's right, I stay so focused on myself, what You can do for me, or what I'm supposed to be doing, or what I think would be best to do, or by what feels best at the time that I don't lift up my eyes. I'm so focused internally so often that I become distracted by my own selfishness and pride and forget that You have a plan that goes beyond my life; beyond all it's 'big deals', trivial details, worries, cares, plans, and strategies. If I'd only look up, I'd see where You are, go to You, and receive the instruction from You that goes beyond myself. The instruction and plan that is impossible for me to carry out in and of myself.

Moses received the plan to save your people; an entire nation. All that was required of him was obedience. My life, fully submitted and obedient and focused on you, could save an entire people; the Treasusre Valley. I repent for my small mindedness and focus when it comes to following you. Keep standing in the bushes, ready to be the all consuming fire that will burn the chaff of a lazy and selfish life so that it can be used by You. Used to do the impossible and the unthinkable and the unimaginable. 2009 is the year to put off distractions of the past.