What is my burning bush? What does God permit in my life in order to get my attention? Moses’ attention was drawn to an inextinguishable fire in a bush. When he stopped what he was involved in and turned aside to examine the phenomenon, God spoke to him and what followed in their dialogue together, began a journey for Moses that he could never have imagined. (Exodus 3)
There are many times when we have to remind ourselves that God’s ways and thoughts are much higher than ours, (Isaiah 55: 8-9). When Moses was keeping sheep on the backside of the desert, he had no idea of the plans God had for him.
God delights in taking an insignificant “nobody” and placing His call and purpose on a life to be fulfilled for His glory, (1 Corinthians 1: 23-31). The journey with the Lord Jesus is a lifetime call, full of learning curves of highs and lows as we discover His faithfulness and direction. As we walk with Him in humility we discover the joy of His presence. His promise stands sure to never leave nor forsake us, (Hebrews 13:5). As we learn to trust our Lord Jesus, we discover we can put His gift of faith to us in His word. Indeed!….the Holy Spirit reveals to us that Jesus is the Living Word and the Bible becomes Living Bread to our spirit man for direction and sustenance.
Jeremiah 29: 11-13: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to bless you and not harm you, to give you hope and a future. Then shall you call upon Me and pray, and I will listen to you. And you shall seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart”.
The challenge comes again to each of us: What is your burning bush? Is God speaking to me in the circumstances that I am praying for Him to change?
Don’t ask God to change your circumstances, He permits them to change you!
Jesus is our refuge, strength, strong tower and sanctuary in the adverse trials of life. Only as I surrender the struggle will I discover the rest and peace of His presence. His enabling strength is available to me, only as I abide in Him. Dare I believe that His presence is enough for me, in spite of the storm? God desires that I prove it is so.
The fire of God never falls on an empty altar!
Has God got my attention? Is He waiting to speak to me, but I have so much to say instead of listening? Is there something He requires me to place on the altar?…..my biases, agendas and plans, misplaced inordinate affection that has usurped His place?……etc. Let the Holy Spirit convict as He lays bare the thoughts and intentions of our heart. Only ash remains on the altar after His holy fire, but this is not the end, but the beginning of a new season of His joy. His word promises: “……beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified”. Isaiah 61:3.
The words of surrender sung by Robin Mark have been echoed by thousands in community worship, but have I ever wholly abandoned my will in surrender to Jesus. Surrender is a daily challenge, surrender is in “the now” , the present tense. The words of the song are as follows:
“Jesus, all to Jesus, all I am, and have, and ever hope to be.
For it’s only in Your will that I am free, yes, it’s only in Your will that I am free”.
May I learn to sing this song joyfully and truthfully as I face the challenges God permits each day. There is a freedom and a liberty in God’s will that only He can impart. Indeed, it is the Life of His Son, given freely to all who surrender their will for His. This is true freedom where I can be what He created me to be, and do what He created and enables me to do…..all for Jesus, all for God’s glory……and I reap all the benefits, for IN His presence I find fullness of true joy…..joy for the ongoing journey!
Photo by Muhammad Daudy on Unsplash