Have you ever found yourself at a crossroads, desperately seeking a sign from God to guide your next move? Perhaps you’re facing a major life decision – a new job opportunity, a potential relocation, or a significant change in your personal life. In these moments, we often long for a clear, unmistakable signal from above, a cosmic neon sign pointing us in the right direction.
But what if God’s signs don’t always come in the ways we expect? What if, instead of receiving confirmation before we act, we’re called to step out in faith first?
This idea challenges our conventional understanding of divine guidance, yet it’s precisely what we see in one of the most pivotal moments in the Bible – the calling of Moses.
Picture this: A simple shepherd, tending his flock in the wilderness, stumbles upon an extraordinary sight – a bush engulfed in flames, yet miraculously unburned. This was Moses, a man with a complicated past, who had fled from Egypt and settled into a quiet life far from the troubles of his youth. Little did he know that this burning bush would be the catalyst for a divine encounter that would change not only his life but the course of history.
As Moses approached the curious spectacle, God’s voice rang out, “Moses! Moses!” And with those words, an ordinary day became extraordinary. The ground beneath his feet was suddenly declared holy, not because of any inherent qualities of the location, but because of God’s presence there.
This encounter reminds us of an important truth: God often meets us in the midst of our everyday routines. The sacred isn’t confined to church buildings or mountaintop experiences. It can manifest in the most unexpected places and times – if we’re paying attention.
But here’s where the story takes an unexpected turn. God reveals to Moses His plan to rescue the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It’s a moment of hope, a long-awaited answer to the cries of an oppressed people. Yet instead of simply announcing His intentions, God does something surprising. He calls Moses to be the instrument of this deliverance.
“Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt,” God declares.
Understandably, Moses is taken aback. “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh?” he protests. It’s a fair question. After all, Moses was a wanted man in Egypt, a shepherd who had left behind a life of privilege for the solitude of the wilderness. In his eyes, he was far from qualified for such a monumental task.
God’s response to Moses’ doubt is both simple and profound: “I will be with you.”
No list of qualifications, no reassurances about Moses’ hidden potential. Just a promise of presence. It’s as if God is saying, “Your adequacy for this task doesn’t come from who you are, but from who I am.”
Then comes the part that challenges our conventional understanding of signs from God. Moses asks for a sign, and God provides one – but it’s not what we might expect. The sign isn’t a miraculous event to convince Moses before he sets out. Instead, God says, “This is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.”
In other words, the sign would come after Moses obeyed, not before.
This unconventional sign reveals a profound truth about faith and obedience. Often, we want assurance before we step out in faith. We want to see the entire path laid out before us, illuminated and guaranteed. But God frequently calls us to take the first step into the unknown, trusting that He will reveal more as we go.
It’s a principle we see throughout Scripture and in the lives of countless believers throughout history. Abraham was called to leave his homeland for an unknown destination. The disciples were asked to leave their livelihoods to follow Jesus. In each case, the full picture wasn’t revealed at the outset – it unfolded as they walked in obedience.
This concept of “obedience in the unknown” challenges us to examine our own faith journeys. How often do we hesitate to follow God’s leading because we can’t see the end result? How many opportunities might we miss because we’re waiting for absolute certainty before we act?
The story of Moses reminds us that God’s call often comes in the midst of our ordinary lives. It challenges us to be attentive to the “burning bushes” in our own experience – those moments when the divine breaks into our everyday routines. But more than that, it invites us to a deeper level of trust and obedience.
Perhaps you’re sensing a call from God in your own life. It might be a prompting to reach out to a neighbor, to volunteer in your community, or to take a bold step in your career or ministry. Like Moses, you might feel inadequate or unprepared. You might be longing for a clear sign before you move forward.
But what if, like Moses, the sign you’re seeking will only become clear as you step out in faith? What if God is inviting you into a journey where His presence and guidance will be revealed along the way, rather than all at once at the beginning?
This doesn’t mean we should act recklessly or without discernment. But it does challenge us to cultivate a faith that is willing to take risks, to step into the unknown trusting in God’s promise: “I will be with you.”
As we reflect on this powerful story, let’s consider where God might be calling us to step out in faith. What “Egypt” is He asking us to confront? What people is He calling us to lead or serve? What fears or insecurities are holding us back?
Remember, the God who called Moses is the same God who calls us today. He doesn’t always choose the obviously qualified, but He always qualifies those He chooses. Our adequacy comes not from our own abilities, but from His presence with us.
So, let’s be attentive to God’s voice in our everyday lives. Let’s be willing to approach the “burning bushes” we encounter with curiosity and reverence. And when God calls, let’s have the courage to step out in faith, even when the path ahead isn’t fully clear.
For it’s in those steps of obedience that we often discover the most profound signs of God’s presence and power in our lives.
