THE BIOGRAPHY OF A BUSH
Take a walk down the corridors of any church, any denomination, any city; pick one and I can tell you right now what you will find. On every pew, in every back office, in every corner of that sanctuary you will discover men and women who privately and even publicly are consumed with a desire to be seen, to be known, to be remembered. They may be young or old, black or white, rich or poor; but they are tied together by a single aching aspiration, an insatiable thirst for greatness.
Now, take a walk through the hallways of your own heart. For just one moment, consider the last funeral you attended and tell me “True or false?” As you sat grieving, you simply could not impede the wandering of your imagination. At least for one moment you envisioned your own funeral, imagining who would show up to honor your life, how much of a hole would be left in your absence and most of all you considered what would be said of your life and impact on the world you left behind.
This search for significance is not altogether problematic but it certainly may be a cause for concern these days. If as followers of Christ we are inwardly driven by a desire to be celebrated then ultimately, what is it that separates us from every Beyonce/Michael Jackson/Brad Pitt “wannabe”? In some cases, the only differentiating factor is that your stage rests before an altar.
In the scriptures, we read of a great man of God named Moses. His story is remarkable and there’s no question that he will be forever remembered. But, I challenge you to take a deeper look and ponder this one thing. As Moses stood at the foot of a burning bush, we see God rip the covers off of His motivation. He says to Moses, “…the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. SO now, go. I am sending you”. You see, while Moses ended up famous, the intent of God’s heart was not really to make Moses great but rather to rescue a people that were without help. I know this is some real upside down thinking but please understand that God isn’t looking to make another man famous; He is at all times simply seeking to deliver and redeem.
You may have lived with a desire to be as “great” as the likes of Moses but I believe that the eyes of the Lord are searching for some young men and women who would rather live out a story that reads much like the biography of a burning bush. A bush that was probably passed by a thousand times, unacknowledged and uncelebrated until this crucial moment when the presence of God needed a place to reside. An entire nation hung in the balance and all God needed was a place to speak; a place where He would be at liberty to burn away every hindrance, every branch of self, a vessel that had no voice of its own so that only His would be heard. This bush had no name and no voice but it will be remembered always for as it burned, God spoke.
As in the days of Moses, the ear of the Lord is turned to the cries of a generation that is without help and He is still desperately looking for a place to speak. May we be a people that are consumed with a burning desire to be as this bush; perhaps overlooked by the world but set on fire by the Spirit of the Living God. For as we burn, His voice again shall be heard.
Thank you for the eye opener. The realization of how we should really live. Not like the famous, but like that of a bush that was unnoticed for everything except it’s burning passion and desire (God’s voice). I try to go “behind the scenes,” “be unnoticed,” but then there’s always that wish to be on stage and noticed like the rest. But more now than ever, I have learned that it has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Him. Whether it’s just simply having a conversation with someone or being in front of a crowd. The one thing that every person should see when they look at me is the heart of God within me, a true reflection of who He is. I don’t want to represent myself, I want to represent the God that is alive and deeply rooted in me.
Once again, thank you for being so outspoken.
Love this! Im a burning bush, your a burning bush, who else will burn for Him!!!
Oh Lord may we set our affections on You alone for we only desire to hear “Well done, you upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the blessedness) which your master enjoysl Matt 25:21
What a great perspective! “You see, while Moses ended up famous, the intent of God’s heart was not really to make Moses great but rather to rescue a people that were without help.” Some of us for what ever reason get “famous” along the way. We receive a “title” but thank you for helping is keep God’s real intention, our real purpose in mind. So many of us get caught up and forget… Great blog Oraia!
Not for nothing, Pharoh didn’t like Moses, The Isrealites didn’t like Moses and constantly questioned him and God, Aaron didn’t listen to Moses. Moses mother had to give him up as a baby. He lived on a mountian for years. He never walked into the promised land, He had to hand that off to Joshua and Caleb. You can want to be like Moses but it isn’t pretty. Jesus was questioned, doubted, mocked, deserted, betrayed, the people who had the most head knowledge wanted to kill Him. He fed 5000, 70 left Him, 12 followed Him, 1 acted the devil, and 1 showed up to the cross.
Welcome to the narrow road.
Good preaching Sister! May God add to your life the things only He can do!