25. Off to the side…
One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up. “This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.”
Exodus 3:1-3
Tim Minchin, comedian, musician, and composer recently addressed graduating university students at my old stomping ground, the University of Western Australia. He gave the students nine life lessons, all of which are commendable (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoEezZD71sc) but his first one stuck out to me: “You don’t have to have a dream.”
Now, I can hear you say, we have just spent weeks talking about discovering our dream, preparing for our dream, birthing it, celebrating it. And now you tell me we don’t have to have a dream? Stick with me and I’ll explain. Minchin is not saying dreams are a waste of space, but if we spend all our lives chasing after something we might never achieve, that life gets in the way of, then maybe time has been wasted. Minchin is advocating for short term goals (I’ll call them micro- dreams) and I agree whole-heartedly. As we pursue what we believe God have given to us as a macro-dream (aca publishing my writing – a very long-term dream) he gives us multiple micro-dreams off to the side which, who knows, may turn into a macro-dream…
Moses had done his bit – he had killed an Egyptian guard for beating up on Israelite slaves. Now he was just a shepherd. He had a flock to care for, a family to earn a buck for, a father-in-law to please. He wasn’t looking for anything more when, out of the corner of his eye, a burning bush caught his eye. He could have kept tending his sheep, ignored the burning bush but, if he was in Australia, he would have checked it out – a potential bushfire in the making! So he decides to take a look and off he trots leaving his sheep to look after themselves.
The rest, as they say, is history – Moses meets God at the bush. He is commissioned to lead God’s people out of Egypt. Called to a whole new purpose and all because he stepped off the path to check something out.
What about you and I? Do we have our own burning bushes? I believe so, I have had plenty in my 70 years. A calling to India in what turned out be four mission trips; a call to start a child sponsorship program for Indian families working as missionaries which is still going 14 years later; a call to lead Bible groups; a call to publish a church mission’s newsletter; a call to complete a diploma of education to prepare me for work as a children’s pastor and regional manager of a children’s charity. I could go on and on, so many burning bushes that I needed to pay attention to.
Some of my burning bushes were dramatic, eye-catching; definitely noticeable but many were smaller, and I needed to be paying attention to be able to see them off to the side. Maybe something I read in the Bible or another book; or something someone has said to me; Or just a small whisper from God in my heart. We need to be alert, ready for the next thing, big or small, God has for us:
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Ephesians 6:18
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
Colossians 4:2
So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.
1 Thessalonians 5:6
Every day, everywhere, there are little burning bushes God has placed at the edge of our vision. In many cases we just walk on by. Yet when we do step aside, Jesus is ready to praise us, give us more dreams, celebrate with us:
The master was full of praise. Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling a small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!”
Matthew 25:21
As we come to the last post in this series on being Expectant, let’s keep our eyes open and be ready always to step aside into whatever opportunity God sends our way.
My prayer for each of you who has taken the time to read this journey is that your life will be full of both small and great accomplishments done in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Prayer: Lord, as I walk this journey of life with you, help me to be alert, ready to step to the side for the burning bushes you place alongside my path, that I may be able to serve you faithfully.
Amen
Action: Every day be watching off to the side for those micro-dreams he places in your way to serve him and those around you right now or even for the next macro-dream he has planned for you.
Journal your thoughts:
